Olympic Flame coming to Bedford!
On 27 July, 2012, the eyes of the world will be on London for
the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games as the
Olympic Flame arrives at the Olympic Stadium for the lighting of
the cauldron to signify the start of the London 2012 Olympic
Games.
In the build up to the start of the event, the Olympic Flame
will make its journey from Greece and arrive in the UK on 18 May
2012, ready for the Olympic Torch Relay to begin the following
day. Representing peace, unity and friendship, the Flame will
start its 70-day journey around the UK towards the Stadium carried
by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers.
We are proud to confirm that on the 8th July the Olympic Flame
will reach Bedford Borough. Torchbearers will carry the
Olympic Flame through the streets of Bedford and Cotton End who
will host a welcome on behalf of their surrounding
communities. Full details of the Relay will be announced
closer to the time, inviting people from across the area to welcome
the Olympic Flame in these locations. The Olympic Torch Relay
will shine a spotlight on the people and places of Bedford Borough
and demonstrate that the Olympic spirit is alive and well.
Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough, said: “I am very pleased
to be able to announce that the Olympic Torch will be coming to
Bedford Borough on the 8th July next year. We have been working
closely with the organisers to ensure we are able to showcase all
that Bedford has to offer and to give local people a chance to
experience the torch relay close to home. We are expecting
tremendous enthusiasm surrounding the Olympics next summer, and I
believe we have an opportunity to translate that enthusiasm into
lasting benefits for all.”
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “We are thrilled to confirm
that Bedford Borough will act as a host location for the Olympic
Flame, extending an invitation to people in the Borough to welcome
the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK.
This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people
across Bedford Borough to start planning how they can be part of
this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the
inspirational Torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we
count down to the start of the Olympic Games.”
The 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, will start at Land’s End,
Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the
Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK
giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to
shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.
In announcing the villages, towns and cities LOCOG has realised
the aspiration of taking the Olympic Flame to within an hour’s
journey time of 95% of the population. In fact, over 95% of the
population will be within just 10 miles of the Olympic Flame next
summer. The street by street detail of the route will be confirmed
next year.
On the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay, it is LOCOG’s
intention that the Olympic Flame will travel down the River Thames
as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the
lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the
official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000
inspirational Torchbearers each of whom will have a story of
personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community. In
December this year, successful nominees will be contacted with a
conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be
confirmed from February 2012 onwards.