Stoke-on-Trent honoured to host the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay

  

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is thrilled and honoured to confirm it has the privilege to host an Evening Celebration event as part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

 

The city will take immense pride hosting the sacred Flame as it is passed from one Torchbearer to another spreading the Olympic message of peace, unity and friendship throughout the city culminating with an evening celebration on 30 May 2012.

This amazing evening event to welcome the Olympic Flame is the ideal opportunity for the city to shine on the national and international stage, to demonstrate what is special and unique about Stoke-on-Trent. We are a creative city and our celebrations to welcome the Flame will reflect this. The council will work with all; communities, schools, businesses and visitors in our city to showcase our strong heritage in the most spectacular evening event ever in living memory.

Stoke-on-Trent is one of 66 Evening Celebration locations across the UK confirmed today (Wednesday 18 May) by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). The evening events will offer thousands of people the opportunity to come together and get involved in celebrations and share in the Olympic spirit. As part of the events LOCOG and the Presenting Partners, Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung, will stage exciting entertainment shows where a cauldron will be lit from the Olympic Flame, marking the end of the day’s proceedings.

The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK from Greece on Friday 18 May 2012 and the 70 day Torch Relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of the 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame is expected to travel an estimated 8,000 miles across the UK, giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to their doorstep. The Olympic Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer nomination programme launches today (Weds 18 May) at 11am. Together with the three Presenting Partners – Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung, LOCOG is seeking 8,000 of the most inspirational people to have their moment to shine next summer by carrying the Olympic Flame. Full details of the LOCOG Torchbearer programme and the nomination process are on the London 2012 website.

 

Councillor Mohammed Pervez, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council said “This is a once in a life time opportunity for the people of Stoke-on-Trent to be part of Olympic history. What a breathtaking sight it will be to see the Torch carried through the streets of our city. I can’t wait to see it. This is a real chance for our city to shine on the regional, national and global stage, to use the power of the Games to inspire lasting change and to connect young people to sport and the values of the Olympics: respect, excellence and friendship.

“Over the past three years the city council has engaged with the Olympic agenda from supporting businesses to access London 2012 contracts to bringing elite Olympic athletes to the city to take part in major sporting events. Over the next twelve months we will continue to organise world class sporting events and community activities inspired by the Olympic Games. I would encourage everyone to take part in some way no matter how small to celebrate the Olympic Flame coming here. People from all backgrounds and ages getting involved in the Games is exactly what the Olympics are about. So lets all join in and be ready to stun the world with our awe-inspiring celebrations on Wednesday May 30, 2012.” 

 

For all media enquiries contact Maureen Eastgate in the Communications Department at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 01782 232621.

 

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Olympic Torch Relay

 

The full route of the Relay, including all the daytime stops, will be announced later this year.
 

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Seeking 2,012 Torchbearers

 

LOCOG are looking for 2,012 inspirational individuals to carry the Torch. The nomination process is open until 29 June 2011, so there is not much time and there are loads of people in Staffordshire who deserve to be nominated!

 

Sponsors of the Torch Relay will also be announcing their nomination processes soon, so there will be further opportunities. 

 

 

Chris Kirkland
Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Co-ordinator for the 2012 Games
T: 01785 854595
E: chris.kirkland@staffordshire.gov.uk