Today the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) confirms further details of the last day of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay when 18 Torchbearers will carry the Flame.
Having visited over 1,000 communities around the UK and celebrated the achievements of just over 8,000 Torchbearers to date, the Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung takes to the River Thames on the morning of Friday 27 July to conclude its 8,000 mile journey around the UK.
At about 7.30am at Hampton Court Palace, four times Olympic Rowing gold medallist Matthew Pinsent (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004) will carry the Olympic Flame on to Gloriana, the Royal Rowbarge which was presented to, and named by, Her Majesty The Queen in a ceremony that took place earlier this year and will provide a lasting legacy to mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. On board Matthew will light a ceremonial cauldron and over the course of the morning seven young Torchbearers will light a Torch from the cauldron and carry the Flame for approximately eight minutes each.
The seven young Torchbearers on board Gloriana are confirmed as:
Akosua Scantlebury, 25, from Bow in London who was nominated through the Coca-Cola Future Flame programme for her work with youth clubs. Akosua wants to inspire young people to reach for their goals and dreams through positive projects aimed at self-development. Akosua will carry the Flame as Gloriana passes Richmond Riverside at approximately 9.10am.
Anastasia Chitty, 18, from Stockwell, London who was nominated through the Lloyds TSB programme for her achievements in the sport of rowing. Anastasia is part of the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes programme. She won a silver medal at the World Junior Rowing Championships racing in the GB coxless four. Anastasia will carry the Flame as Gloriana passes Dukes Meadow in Chiswick at approximately10.10am.
Nathalie Murphy, 25, from Thornton Heath, London who was nominated through the Samsung programme for turning her life around with the support of Kids Company. Nathalie was homeless when she first came to Kids Company at the age of 15. She has since achieved a university degree in Theatre and Performance Studies and is now giving back to other children supported by the charity by making fundraising films. Nathalie will carry the Flame as Gloriana passes Putney Embankment at approximately 10.35am.
Terry Bobie Agyekum, 20, from Newham who was nominated through the Coca-Cola Future Flame programme for making numerous outstanding contributions to his local community. He has been a football coach for the past 3 years for his StreetGames project. He is also involved with a local school, the Rokeby School, and coaches football there too. He is the Newham StreetGames champion. Outside of sport, he also mentors young boys in the borough as part of an anti-gang related project designed to keep youth off the streets and encourage them to become involved with sport, particularly football, instead. Terry Bobie will carry the Flame as Gloriana passes Battersea Park at approximately 11.15am.
Jimmy Hazard, 19, from Bristol who was nominated through the Lloyds TSB campaign for his achievements in the sport of weightlifting and his participation in the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes Programme. In 2009 he won Britain's Strongest under 18 representing Empire Sports club Bristol, he also won the Bristol & Gloucestershire schools award for individual success within sport. Jimmy won Silver for team England weighlifting in Austria, shortly after he became British Silver medallist at Under 20 level, and Bronze at the British Under 23s. Jimmy has given a lot of his time to volunteer in schools, both taking sports classes and giving weightlifting demonstrations. He coaches Olympic weightlifting at his club and coached a female lifter to win at her first senior Welsh championships. Jimmy will carry the Flame as Gloriana passes by the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye at approximately 11.50am.
Yusuf Jimacale, 21, from Ealing who was nominated through the
Samsung programme for his success through the Hammersmith & Fulham Kickz football programme. Within weeks of joining he was demonstrating the leadership qualities required to coach. Yusuf has now taken various courses gaining Community Sports Leaders and volunteering qualifications and is taking an introductory course in youth work. Over the last 18 months he’s been instrumental in supporting new volunteers within Chelsea Foundation initiatives. Recently he has also helped organise a celebrity football match at Brentford to raise both awareness and funds for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust. He also organised an event at Stamford Bridge to mark World Mental Health Day as part of the Events 4 Youth Volunteer Team in conjunction with the Hammersmith and Fulham Volunteer Centre and the mental health organisation MIND. Yusuf will carry the Flame from Millennium Bridge at approximately 12.20pm.
Amber Charles, 22, from Newham who was selected through the LOCOG programme is a young basketball player from East Ham in the London Borough of Newham. Amber played a key role in London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games seven years ago and has remained involved in the project since. She presented London's 600-page proposal to members of the IOC at Lausanne in 2004. The following year she also accompanied the bid team to Singapore for the final presentation to the International Olympic Committee which resulted in London being awarded the Games. The vision that Amber and the young ambassadors from East London shared for the Games was clear – to inspire young people to choose sport – and in the years since the bid this has become a reality. Amber remains an ambassador for the Games and went on to play for the England under-16 basketball team and the Haringey Angels in the national championships. Amber will carry the Flame in front of City Hall and Tower Bridge at approximately 12.45pm.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: ‘Support for the Torchbearers has been immense with over 13 million people lining the streets across the UK cheer them on. Thank you to each and every person for giving the Olympic Flame such a magnificent welcome and celebrating the best of the UK with us. Together we have given the London 2012 Games the best possible start and we are delighted to have seven inspiring young people carrying the Flame on the last leg of the Olympic Torch Relay.’
Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt said: ‘The Torch Relay has been absolutely fantastic. The enthusiasm and support showed by millions of people up and down this country has been overwhelming. It has showcased the very best of Britain.’
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘From Wandsworth to Enfield and Bromley to Harrow, over three million Londoners have lined the streets of the capital to cheer on the flame and our inspirational Torchbearers. As excitement builds to a crescendo ahead of what promises to be a glorious Opening Ceremony, London is poised and ready for a fantastic Games.'
Gloriana will be rowed by 16 oarsmen and women who will be drawn from a squad of 28 rowers on-board on the day. The squad is made up of former British Olympic rowing crews dating back to the 1948 Games and ‘Olympians of the future’ from London Youth Rowing. The squad includes rowing greats such as James Cracknell and Jonny Searle. On her journey, organised by Thames Alive, Gloriana will be accompanied by a number of river craft displaying our rowing heritage on the River Thames.
The finale to the public participation in the Torch Relay will see Amber Charles, the last Torchbearer on the River Thames carry the Flame to Tower Bridge for a final photo opportunity in front the Olympic Rings at approximately 12.45pm. The Flame will then remain out of public view at City Hall until it appears at the Opening Ceremony.
Further details for the morning include:
An early morning photo opportunity at 6.55am in Bushy Park with Rosie Hynes, 18, from Manchester who is the first Torchbearer of the day. Rosie was selected by Lloyds TSB for achievements in the sport of basketball and for her involvement with the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes Programme. Rosie played Women’s Basketball for England U16's, England U18's, and is currently part of the Great Britain under 20's squad. Rosie is working towards competing in the next Olympic Games for the senior squad.
Another nine Torchbearers will then carry the Flame in Relay through Bushy Park and around the grounds of Hampton Court Palace before Matthew Pinsent takes it aboard Gloriana.
The bell on board Gloriana will ring for three minutes from 8.12am as part of the national celebration for the London 2012 Festival that will see bells across the UK being rung as quickly and loudly as possible to mark the opening of the London 2012 Games. The London 2012 commission 'All The Bells' by Turner Prize winning artist Martin Creed will see organisations such as The Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, The British Army, The RAF, the National Trust, The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers, the National Theatre, the Church of England, the Mayor of London, the Archbishop of Westminster, Dame Evelyn Glennie, The British Federation of Youth Marching Band Organisations, The Girl Guides Association, The Royal British Legion, the Women’s Institute and many more joining in with the event which will be broadcast by the BBC to a potential live audience of over 10 million people across the UK on TV, radio and online - including BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans Breakfast Show and BBC local radio stations.
Given the huge and enthusiastic crowds that have followed the Olympic Torch Relay on its journey around the UK – as well over 13 million people have cheered on the Torchbearers to date - LOCOG and Transport for London (TfL) advise Londoners that, if possible, it would be best to stay local and try to view the Flame when it passes through the area nearest to home or place of work. For route information please visit www.london2012.com/torch-relay.
On Friday 27 July in particular, roads in central London will be exceptionally busy. Those without a ticket for the Opening Ceremony or another event in the Stratford area are advised to avoid the area from 3.00pm. For anyone travelling in London the advice is to check out the Torch Relay route and plan ahead. If travelling to an area where the Torch is passing through, the advice is to leave plenty of time for journeys and take public transport where possible. See www.GetAheadoftheGames.com for all the tools and information to plan journeys.
London’s Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy CBE, said: ‘London’s transformation into a massive sporting and cultural venue is complete. We expect huge and enthusiastic crowds to line the banks of the Thames as the Olympic Torch makes its final journey from Hampton Court to City Hall, before it reappears at the Olympic Park for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Games.
‘Our advice is, if possible, stay local, and find a viewing point along the river close to home or work to view the Torch as it passes. Spectators should take public transport, walk or cycle to view the Torch. Avoid driving – roads in central London will be exceptionally busy and there will be no parking along the route. Plan ahead at GetAheadoftheGames.com and allow plenty of time for your journey.’
Claire Johnston, Chief Superintendent Strategic Lead Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relay Security Team, said: ‘The Olympic Torch Relay has been a great success from a policing perspective. In addition to the remarkable support shown for the Torch and Torchbearers, the MPS Torch Security Team has been warmly welcomed by members of the public throughout all parts of the UK. We have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this unique event and are delighted that so many people have braved extreme weather conditions to show their support. The MPS Torch Security Team would like to thank all our colleagues around the country for all the hard work that has gone into supporting us and of course the Great British public for their backing which has made the Relay truly memorable for all the team.’
James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola, said: ‘Wow – what an incredible 70 day journey! We can’t believe we’re here, just hours away from the moment the Flame will light the final Cauldron to open the London 2012 Olympic Games. It’s been such an honour to have helped to take the magic of the Torch Relay to over 1,000 communities, covering 8,000 miles, and celebrating 8,000 truly inspirational Torchbearers. We’re so proud of all our Future Flames, and today we will celebrate our final inspiring Torchbearers, including Akosua Scantlebury and Terry Bobie Agyekum who will carry the Flame aboard the Gloriana as it makes its way down the Thames. We’ve also been humbled by the incredible welcome the public has given us wherever we’ve travelled, with millions of people lining the streets in an outpouring of national pride and excitement about London 2012. Thank you everyone. Let the Games begin!’
Sally Hancock, Director, London 2012 Partnership at Lloyds Banking Group says: ‘Today marks the finale of a truly incredible 70 day journey to bring the Olympic Flame to the Games. Lloyds TSB gave millions of people across the length and breadth of the country the opportunity to get involved along the route as the Relay touched the hearts of their communities. We are very proud to have celebrated the thousands of Lloyds TSB Torchbearers who have made a difference in their local area as they carried the Flame. We saw many thousands of National School Sport Week pupils from across the nation line the streets to cheer on the Relay and show their support for Team GB. And now we look ahead to the start of the Games and our 46 Local Heroes who will compete for Team GB and ParalympicsGB and celebrate the next step in their exciting and inspiring sporting journeys.’
Sunny Hwang, Vice President & Head of Global Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics, said: ‘Samsung is delighted to be a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay as it has given us the perfect opportunity to encourage everyone from all around the world to be involved in the Olympic Games.’
-Ends-
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog http://blog.london2012.com or follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/london2012
Notes to editors:
About Gloriana
The Queen has asked that Gloriana be retained by Lord Sterling and the Maritime Heritage Trust with assistance from Thames Alive. The Queen has approved the principle that Gloriana will be used to promote better use of the Thames. This can be achieved through providing opportunities for Royal-supported, and other charities, to play their part in occasions and celebrations upon the Thames, with a particular emphasis on events involving young people.
Following Gloriana’s involvement with the London Olympic Games she will return to her current home in St Katherine’s Dock.
Royal Row Barge ‘Gloriana’ Olympians Squad for day 70 of the Olympic Torch Relay
|
For further information and images of Gloriana please contact Ben Fry or Will Carnwath, Brunswick Group on 020 7404 5959 or email Gloriana@brunswickgroup.com
Each day two short packages of broadcast footage will be made available. The packages will be available via the Footage library – accessible from the Media Centre on london2012.com and direct from this link http://footagelibrary.london2012.com. Media will need to register for access in advance. Registration is free.
The broadcast of the Olympic Torch Relay is provided for Editorial Use Only. There can be no commercial association, no third party association and no commercial/ad superimposition on the video footage, unless the prior written consent of the IOC is acquired.
About the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners:
As the longest standing Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola will be using its heritage and experience to spread excitement across the UK ahead of London 2012. Coca-Cola's national nomination campaign - Future Flames – has focused on finding inspirational young people from across the country to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame. This summer Coca-Cola will celebrate these Future Flames: young people who use their passions in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance, and community and the environment; to spread happiness in their local communities. Find out more at: www.coca-cola.co.uk/olympic-games
As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB will be taking the inspiration and excitement of the Olympic Flame right to the heart of communities across the UK. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland will be the National Presenting Partner in Scotland. We are creating as many opportunities as possible for communities the length and breadth of the UK to get involved as the Flame travels past their front doors.
Lloyds Banking Group is Britain’s biggest corporate investor in UK communities and in 2011 invested £85 million and as part of the Group’s Community Investment Programme, we’ve launched the Lloyds Banking Group Community Fund to give back to the communities in which we operate and pass through on our journey with the Olympic Flame. We’re inviting everyone to visit the Lloyds TSB stand at each Evening Celebration to vote for a community project in their area that inspires and supports young people. By voting at the Evening Celebration members of the public will automatically enter a draw to win four tickets to London 2012. The two projects that receive the most votes at each locality will each win a £5,000 grant from Lloyds Banking Group. At the Lloyds TSB site members of the public will also have the opportunity to have their photo taken with the Olympic Torch, meet Lloyds TSB Local Heroes – the future stars of Team GB and ParalympicsGB – and get up close to our Flame Followers. To find out how you can join in the celebrations with Lloyds TSB (in your community please visit www.lloydstsb.com/london2012
As a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung aims to encourage everyone to be part of the greatest show on Earth to make London 2012 ‘Everyone’s Olympic Games.’ We aspire to offer new and memorable experiences for everyone around the world through our own innovative and smart wireless technology. Samsung is providing 1,360 Torchbearers, who have “gone the extra mile” by contributing to the local communities, through its worldwide public nomination campaign. In total over 25,000 nominations were received. Samsung will support towns and cities to celebrate the exciting moment of the Torch Relay and help showcase Great Britain’s cultural landmarks to provide a more enjoyable experience to everyone. The evening celebrations that will be staged by Samsung in 66 towns and cities throughout the Olympic Flame’s journey across the UK, will allow Samsung to entertain the community they are visiting. The Samsung caravan, complete with LED screen on the side showcasing runners and goodwill messages, will follow the Torchbearers around the UK cheering up everyone to celebrate the Torch Relay with music and interaction with local communities. It is Samsung’s ambition that London 2012 will be an event that reaches and involves more people than on any other Olympic Games occasion. To learn more about Samsung’s London 2012 Olympic programme, please visit www.samsung.com/london2012
The BBC will be providing extensive coverage of the Torch Relay on television, radio and online. This will include special Breakfast shows on every BBC local radio station, and extended live coverage of an evening celebration event in every Nation and English Region. Full details of the coverage will be at bbc.co.uk/2012.
The Supporters of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay are:
Worldwide Olympic Partners Procter and Gamble and Visa, Tier One Partners adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT and EDF, Tier Three Providers Aggreko, Holiday Inn and NATURE VALLEY.
London 2012 Games partners:
The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow Chemical Company, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.
LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS.
There are now 28 domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.
