News
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Oxford City to take part in London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route
Oxford City has been confirmed to host an Evening Celebration after the Olympic Flame comes to the city as part of its journey around the UK. The Olympic Flame is coming to the city to showcase the rich cultural and sporting heritage offering in the city as well as celebrate the birthplace of the four minute mile by Sir Roger Bannister.
The evening event, with more details yet to be confirmed, will be an opportunity for the city to entertain residents with a fun filled family celebration.
Oxford is one of 66 Evening Celebration locations and six Island Visits across the UK confirmed today 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.
Councillor Bob Price, Leader of Oxford City Council, says: “I am delighted that Oxford will be hosting the Torch Relay and holding an Evening Celebration. It is likely to be once in our lifetime that we see the Olympics held in our country so we need to make the most of it and not everyone will be luckily enough to watch a live event. Beyond being a great sporting and cultural festival the Olympics will help to increase tourism and bolster the local economy.”
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: "We are thrilled that Oxford City Council has agreed to host the Olympic Flame on its journey right across the UK. The Olympic Flame will shine a light right across Oxford, celebrating the culture and heritage of the area and showcasing the very best of Oxford. We have no doubt that the welcome Oxford City Council will provide will demonstrate how the spirit of the Olympic Games is reaching out across the UK and excitement builds as the start of the 2012 Games draws closer."
"The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers and once the detailed daily route is confirmed later this year, it is our aim that 95% population will be within a one hour journey time, of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay."
The London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer nomination programme launches today at 11.00am. Together with the three Presenting Partners, LOCOG is seeking 8,000 of the most inspirational people to have their moment to shine next summer by carrying the Olympic Flame.
In addition to the locations confirmed on the route today, many other cities, towns, villages and places of outstanding natural beauty, sports venues and community hubs will be announced in a second, more detailed route announcement later this year that will confirm the many other places the Olympic Flame will visit on each day of the Relay.
