Olympic Flame coming to Stroud
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22 Nov 2011
The town of Stroud and the village of Painswick will host the Olympic Torch on its journey to London to signify the start the 2012 London Olympic Games.
They are two of over 1,000 villages, towns and cities - announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) - through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers, during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
In the build up to the start of the Games, the Olympic Flame will make its journey from Greece and arrive in the UK on 18 May, 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.
The Relay will start at Land's End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May. 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.
Local people will carry the flame, as Torchbearers, through our district on its journey to the Olympic Stadium on July 27 and the flame will be in Stroud and Painswick on Wednesday May 23. In December this year, successful nominees will be contacted with a conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February onwards.
John Marjoram, Mayor of Stroud said: 'It is good to know that the torch is coming through Stroud and is a great opportunity to bring countries of the World closer together.'
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said:
'We are thrilled to confirm that Painswick and Stroud will act as host locations for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people in the district 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 the district of Stroud 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.'
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 London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay is presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. LOCOG has worked closely with representatives from a number of sectors in Gloucestershire to devise the route.