2012 Olympic torch route revealed

2011-05-18 11:12:29

18 May 2011 Last updated at 12:25 Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print London 2012 Olympic torch relay route revealed

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// Use our map to explore the torch relay

"It's a 70-day journey of celebration," said Lord Coe, chairman of Locog.

He told BBC Breakfast: "I think the thing we have learned from other relays is it's releasing that creativity, the excitement, in people's backyards. I have seen that from relays around the world and I really do want to replicate that."

He added: "The stopovers at night, there will be a party atmosphere, there will be stage shows, there will be the opportunity to showcase local talent."

The flame will be carried by 8,000 torchbearers, 7,200 of whom will be members of the public, nominated by people who know them.

Half of the torchbearer places are expected to go to people aged between 12 and 24 years of age "who are considered leading lights in their local communities," said Locog, which has launched a nominations website.

The BBC's Sports News Correspondent Gordon Farquhar said almost 6,000 of the places would be distributed by three sponsors: Coca-Cola, Samsung and Lloyds TSB.

Continue reading the main story LONDON 2012 RELAY Olympic flame will go to within an hour's travel of 95% of the population Six islands will be visited - the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, Shetland, Orkney and the Isle of Lewis Talks are under way about taking the Olympic flame to Dublin The total distance the flame will travel is estimated to be 8,000 miles The relay will start at Land's End in Cornwall on 19 May, 2012 The flame will travel for 12 hours each day

Hugh Robertson, minister for sport and the Olympics, said the relay would "bring London 2012 to the doorsteps of the UK giving everybody the chance to celebrate the London Games".

"It's a magnificent showcase for the country and a chance to mark the achievements of inspirational people in our communities," he said.

A second, more detailed route will be revealed later this year.

In addition to the 74 locations already revealed, Locog said the torch would also pass through many cities, towns, villages and places of outstanding natural beauty - as well as sports venues and community hubs.

Continue reading the main story London 2012 - Begin your journey here London 2012: Latest Olympic news, sport, features and programmes from the BBC

The origins of the Olympic torch relay look back to ancient Greece, when messengers were sent out from Olympia to announce the competition dates and call for a halt to all wars during the Games.

The relay was revived for modern times at the 1936 Berlin Games, and since then has grown into a popular curtain-raiser to the sporting events.

The design of the torch has changed with each Games, sometimes reflecting classical torches, at other times taking on a contemporary look.

The 2012 torch's designers, Barber and Osgerby, won a competitive tender launched last year for the torch design role. They are also working on designs around the Paralympic torch relay.

For the modern Olympic Games, the flame is lit in Olympia from the Sun's rays using a parabolic mirror and then taken on a relay around Greece.

Unlike some previous relays, the 2012 torch will not go round the world.

At the end of the Greek tour, the flame will be taken straight to the UK.

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