- Download an interactive map of the Torch Relay route from 1pm
- Download a map of London highlights for the Torch Relay
- Download details of 50 Paralympic Games highlights
- Download images of an Agitos revealed on Rhossili Bay
Seb Coe, LOCOG Chair, said: “With just 50 days to go these highlights serve as a great taster for the Paralympic Games. I’m looking forward to crowds coming out to line the streets and cheer on the inspirational teams of Torchbearers, and as the Paralympic Games get set to amaze us all I am delighted that we still have some great tickets to give everyone the chance to be there.”
Stoke Mandeville is today welcoming the Olympic Torch Relay, but in 50 days time Stoke Mandeville Stadium will be the venue for the official Paralympic Flame Lighting Ceremony on 28 August. Four flames from London, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh will be united to form the Paralympic Flame which will be taken on a 24-hour overnight relay to the Paralympic Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium on 29 August.
The 24-hour relay - presented by BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s - will see the Paralympic Flame carried 87 miles by 580 inspirational Torchbearers, working in teams of five, from Stoke Mandeville to London. It will travel through some of the communities of Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, before visiting all six host boroughs and a number of internationally recognisable London landmarks. From the iconic Abbey Road crossing in the north-west of the city to historic Greenwich in the south-east, the Flame will come right through the heart of London.
Passing down Regent Street from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus, the Flame will go by Westminster Abbey and Downing Street as well as Trafalgar Square – where there will be live entertainment and sport screened throughout the Paralympic Games. The Flame will cross the Thames over some of London’s most famous bridges: Lambeth Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and Tower Bridge. Tower Bridge will have a spectacular Agitos on display – the symbol of the Paralympic Games.
London 2012 organisers are encouraging over 15,000 Local Leaders to help light the way to the Paralympic Games. Local Leaders are encouraged to get people together to make lanterns and attend their local Flame Festivals, Flame Celebrations or hold their own Light a Lantern events. To sign up to be a Local Leader go to: http://www.london2012.com/lightalantern
With the Paralympic Torch Relay a fantastic spectacle ahead of the Games, LOCOG have today also highlighted 50 events during the Games which are expected to create some of the most lasting Paralympic memories. The majority of the 50 events still present the opportunity to be there in person, with tickets available from just £10 at www.tickets.london2012.com or by phone at 0844 847 2012. A guide to current availability can be seen here
On the track there will be the highly anticipated 100m battle between blade-runners Oscar Pistorius and Jonnie Peacock and the wheelchair racing rivalries between David Weir, Marcel Hug and Kurt Fearnley. In the pool Ellie Simmonds will take on Victoria Arlen and Mirjam de Koning-Peper as she aims to repeat her success in Beijing 2008, while Natalie duToit is aiming for a record 7 gold medal haul. Players many consider to be the best ever, such as Ryley Batt (AUS) in Wheelchair Rugby, Patrick Andersen (CAN) in Wheelchair Basketball and Esther Vergeer (NED) in Wheelchair Tennis will also all be aiming for golds. The full list of highlights can be downloaded here
Prices start at just £10 (£5 for young people and seniors) and day pass tickets exclusive to the Paralympic Games present the chance to see up to five sports in the Olympic Park or ExCeL on just one £10 ticket.
Tickets are available for both Ceremonies and across most sports, including good availability for Paralympic Athletics in the Olympic Stadium which has been the biggest selling ticket so far, and Swimming in the Aquatics Centre.
Sir Philip Craven, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President, said: “The announcement of the route for the Paralympic Torch Relay is another step closer to the start of the Paralympic Games. I think it is fantastic that is starts at Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual birthplace of the Movement, and am confident that the British public will turn out in force to support those taking part in the Relay.”
Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, said: “We should be incredibly proud that Stoke Mandeville is the birthplace of the Paralympics. It’s right that the Paralympics are a central part of London 2012, and will really raise the bar for future Games.”
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said: “The huge demand for Paralympic tickets has already proved appetite for this unique and thrilling festival of sport is higher than ever. With just 50 days to go, excitement is building as London prepares to stage the greatest Paralympics in history and I can't wait to see the Paralympic Flame arriving in London, heralding the beginning of another two weeks of thrilling action in the Olympic Park."
In addition to the sport, the London 2012 Festival will also continue throughout the Paralympic Games showcasing world leading artists in events across the UK. On Tuesday there will be a presentation of programme highlights for “Unlimited: the Revelation starts here” at the Southbank Centre in London – an unprecedented celebration of arts and culture by deaf and disabled artists.
The Unlimited programme has encouraged collaborations and partnerships between disability arts organisations, disabled and deaf artists, producers, and mainstream organisations to celebrate the inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and create original and exciting work. The £3m programme is principally funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, and is delivered in partnership between London 2012, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the British Council.
The 29 Unlimited commissions range widely in artform including dance, live arts, visual arts, music and theatre, and the Southbank Centre will present the Unlimited commissions across the site of the world famous arts venue from 31 August to the final day of the Paralympic Games on 9 September.
Suzi Williams, Director, BT Group Marketing and Brand, added: “At BT we’ve supported the Paralympics for decades. We understand the awesome power of Paralympic sport to inspire all of us, and that’s why we’ve brought teams of amazing people together to carry the Flame this summer. This is their moment to be at the heart of a once in a lifetime experience.”
Sally Hancock, Director, London 2012 Partnership at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We are excited and proud to mark 50 Days to Go to the Paralympic Games on the day the Olympic Torch Relay visits Stoke Mandeville. Lloyds TSB and Bank of Scotland will be bringing the excitement of the Paralympic Torch Relay to the Flame Festivals around the UK and the communities along the route, and we are calling on everyone to cheer on the teams of Paralympic Torchbearers as they make their way to London in this unique Relay.”
Gwyn Burr, Customer Service & Colleague Director at Sainsbury's said: "All the way through our nomination process our customers and colleagues have been amazing us with stories of inspiration, determination and courage. This support will no doubt be showcased in style along the streets of Great Britain as the torch makes its journey to London and I can't wait to cheer on our customers and colleagues taking part in this once-in-a-lifetime occasion."
- Ends -
Notes to editors:
The Agitos was dug into the sand in Rhossili Bay by a group of volunteers and schoolchildren in association with the National Trust.
The Agitos is the Paralympic symbol of the IPC and consists of the three colours that are most widely represented in national flags around the world. The three agitos (derived from the Latin word “agito,” which means, “I move”) encircle a centre point to show that the IPC brings athletes together from around the globe. It also conveys that Paralympic athletes are always moving forward and never giving up. The Paralympic Motto, “Spirit in Motion,” represents the strong will of every Paralympian and implies that the IPC is an organization on the move.
Time-lapse footage of the Agitos dig on the beach in Rhossili Bay is available from the London 2012 footage library. Follow the link below and then search for ‘Rhossili Bay’ in the library.
You will find the footage library in the Media Centre section on london2012.com
http://www.london2012.com/press/
A registration will be required before you can download the footage.
The Paralympic Torch Relay route through London will be a different one to that taken by the Olympic Flame.
For more detail on Paralympic Torch Relay: http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/torch-relay/
For further information on the Southbank presentation of “Unlimited: the Revelation starts here” please RSVP Sim Eldem on 020 7921 0888 or email simin.eldem@southbankcentre.co.uk
In recognition of Visa's longstanding support of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, only Visa (debit, credit and prepaid) can be used to purchase tickets. For applicants outside of the UK, a full list of Authorised Ticket Resellers is available on the London 2012 ticketing website.
Customers are advised to purchase London 2012 Paralympic Games tickets only through official sources. It is illegal to sell London 2012 Paralympic Games tickets without the permission of LOCOG. Any website or individual claiming to have tickets for sale should be checked against the list of official outlets on the London 2012 ticketing website.
Lloyds TSB is proud to partner the London 2012 ticketing programme and is supporting communities all over Britain on their journey to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To find out more about its London 2012 programmes visit Lloydstsb.com/London2012.
Paralympic Torch Relay background
An animated video of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay is available for use. Please see the links below:
The England, N.Ireland and Wales broadcast version is available here
The England, N.Ireland and Wales web version is available here
The Scotland broadcast version is available here
The Scotland web version is available here
Paralympic Torch Relay dates and events:
24 August 2012 - London Flame lighting event
25 August 2012 – Belfast Flame lighting event and Flame Festival
26 August 2012 - Edinburgh Flame lighting event and Flame Festival
27 August 2012 - Cardiff Flame lighting event and Flame Festival
28 August 2012 - Stoke Mandeville Paralympic Flame Lighting ceremony to bring together all four Flames to create the Paralympic Flame and 24 hour relay begins
29 August 2012 - Paralympic Flame arrives at the Stadium in time for the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games
36 communities from across the UK have also taken the opportunity to host Flame Celebration’s over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
For further information about the Paralympic Torch Relay please visit http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/torch-relay/about
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services, operating in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
BT is the official communications services partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.
In the year ended 31 March 2011, BT Group’s revenue was £20,076 million with profit before taxation of £1,717 million.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt
All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre
Lloyds TSB is the exclusive Banking & Insurance Partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and partner of the London 2012 ticketing programme and the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays. The Bank is committed to inspire and support young people, businesses and communities across Britain in the lead up to London 2012.
As a National Presenting Partner for the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB will be taking the spirit and inspiration of the Paralympic 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. Be the first to hear how to follow the Paralympic and Olympic Flames, through our customer-exclusive programme Trackside. For more information on how Lloyds TSB is helping take the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to all corners of Britain, visit: www.lloydstsb.com/london2012
Sainsbury’s is proud to be a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay. Sainsbury’s is committed to promoting a healthier, more active lifestyle for all, regardless of ability, and supporting the values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality on which the Paralympic Movement was founded.
Sainsbury’s will be using its partnership of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay to engage and celebrate those who make a lasting difference in attitudes towards disability in the UK and create opportunities for change in disabled people’s lives.
Sainsbury's is the first ever Paralympic Games-only sponsor and this landmark commitment to the Paralympic Movement is the largest sponsorship ever of a Paralympic Games.
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 on http://www.london2012.com , follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/london2012 or download the Offical London 2012 Join In app.
The Official London 2012 Join In app is a free mobile guide to help you plan, enjoy and share your Games experience. From the Olympic Torch Relay to the Olympics and Paralympics, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, plus all the cultural, city and community celebrations happening across the UK, the Official London 2012 Join In App is your essential companion. It is available now at app stores and at http://www.london2012.com/mobileapps/
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, 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 twenty-eight 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.
There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury’s and one domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Supplier, Otto Bock. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.
