The London 2012 Organising Committee has begun making conditional offers to 8,000 inspiring people to carry the Olympic Flame next summer during the 70-day Olympic Torch Relay. <br/><a href="http://www.london2012.com/news/2011/12/london-2012-offers-first-torchbearer-places-for-the-olym.php"><br/>6,800 people are now one step closer to becoming a London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer</a> and having their moment to shine next summer.

Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin meets with her Dublin counterpart Michael Ring TD and Pat Hickey from the Irish Olympic Council at Government buildings in Dublin, as the Olympic Torch made a short visit to the Irish capital. <br/> <br/> It was announced last week that <a href="http://www.london2012.com/news/2011/12/olympic-flame-to-visit-dublin-as-part-of-london-2012-oly.php">the Torch will visit Dublin</a> as part of next summer's Olympic Torch Relay.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today showcases prototypes of the London 2012 Olympic Torch to be carried by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers. The winning design connects the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay to each of the 8,000 Torchbearers and their community. The Torch's triangular, gold-coloured form is perforated by 8,000 circles representing the 8,000 Torchbearers and their stories of personal achievement and/or contribution to their local community which will be celebrated during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay

Nominee Mick McCann (L), LOCOG Nations and Regions Chair David Moorcroft (C) and Councillor Martin Mullaney, Cabinet member for Leisure, Sport and Culture (R), pose at Victoria Square to mark the announcement of the first locations to be confirmed on the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route, and the launch of the public nomination process to find 8,000 Olympic Torchbearers. The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK on 18th May 2012 for a 70-day Relay.

<p>Priscilla Salmon, Paralympic gold medallist Michael McKillop and TV presenter Zoe Salmon pose at Belfast City Hall to mark the announcement of the first locations to be confirmed on the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route and the launch of the public nomination process to find 8,000 Olympic Torchbearers. Zoe Salmon is nominating her Mum Priscilla Salmon to carry the Olympic Flame and have their moment to shine. The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK on 18 May 2012 for a 70-day Relay..</p><p/><p/>

Dr Muhammad Bari MBE, LOCOG Board Member, Jeff Moore, London 2012 East Midlands Member and Deputy City Mayor, Rory Palmer, Leicester City Council, pose at Leicester Town Hall Square to mark the announcement of the first locations to be confirmed on the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route, and the launch of the public nomination process to find 8,000 Olympic Torchbearers.<br/>

<p>From left to right Robert Hardy, Jason Gardener, Councillor Simon Cook, Ethan Gatehouse, Williams Harms, Councillor Geoffrey Gollop, Carla Armstrong Brown, Jesse Armstrong Brown, Bernice Gollop and Greg Nugent pose in front of the Clifton Suspension Bridge to mark the announcement of the first locations to be confirmed on the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route, and the launch of the public nomination process to find 8,000 Olympic Torchbearers.</p><p/><p/>

British number one table tennis player Paul Drinkall poses at the Peace Gardens to mark the announcement of the first locations to be confirmed on the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route, and the launch of the public nomination process to find 8,000 Olympic Torchbearers.

Gethin Jones poses with local schoolchildren from Ysgol Friars, Bangor Ysgol Tryfan, Bangor and Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen, Bethesda at Bangor Pier. The celebration marked the announcement of the first locations to be confirmed on the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route, and the launch of the public nomination process to find 8,000 Olympic Torchbearers.<br/>