Plans for London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay announced
Plans for the London 2012 Paralympic torch relay have been announced.
Building on the traditional Torch Relay format, the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay programme will begin on Friday, August 24, 2012, with the first flame lighting event to be held in London.
Over the bank holiday weekend, Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff will each host a flame lighting moment and an evening Paralympic Flame Festival.
Presented by BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury's, each of the four flames will be lit by the energy of physical human endeavour, with each place creating its unique method of lighting.
The flame lighting method for each nation will be announced closer to the time of the Paralympic Torch Relay next year.
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Sebastian Coe, chair of London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: 'Day after day our Paralympians show the energy of human endeavour both on and off the sporting field of play.
'By lighting the flame which heralds the start of their competition through the energy of human endeavour, the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay is a tribute to their inspirational stories of courage and determination and a celebration of teamwork right across the UK.'
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Once a flame has been lit, it will visit local community groups and key locations in and around the city.
In each nation, there will be a Paralympic Flame Festival, the last of which takes place in Stoke Mandeville, home of the Paralympic Movement where a special ceremony will be held to bring together all four flames to create the Paralympic Flame.
Jeremy Hunt, secretary of state for culture, Olympics, media and sport said: 'The Paralympic Games next summer is our chance to change people's attitudes towards disability.
'The Torch Relay will take the Paralympics to each home nation helping to build excitement for the Games and awareness of disability sport. This is our chance to welcome home the Paralympic Movement.'
The four flames will be combined at the special ceremony at Stoke Mandeville on Tuesday, August 28to create the London 2012 Paralympic Flame.
Later that evening, there will be a 24 hour Torch Relay from Stoke Mandeville to journey the Paralympic Flame to London for the opening of the Paralympic Games.
Five hundred and eighty torchbearers, working in teams of five, will carry the Paralympic Flame towards the stadium to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Details about how Torchbearers will be selected are to be announced at a later date.
For further information about the Paralympic Flame Festivals please go to www.london2012.com/paralympic-torch-relay
