Tuesday, July 31, 2012

London Olympics 2012 : Australian Magnussen Finds Form

London 2012: Magnussen Finds Form

James Magnussen went some way to exorcising the failure of Australia's Freestyle Relay team to get an Olympic medal as he produced a solid 100m heat performance.


 Next London Olympics 2012 : Australian Magnussen Finds Form

(PRWEB) July 31, 2012
James Magnussen went some way to exorcising the failure of Australia's Freestyle Relay team to get an Olympic medal as he produced a solid 100m heat performance.
The world 100m Freestyle champion, known as 'the Missile', is a hot favourite to add the Olympic title to the world gold he secured last year in Shanghai and has clocked 47.10 already this year.
He qualified fourth overall in 48.38, with USA swimmer Nathan Adrian fastest in 48.19.
Magnussen said: 'I think it was a step in the right direction, it was a good swim.
'It's an improvement from the other night, I am keeping positive with a smile on my face.
'I took a fair hit in the relay, I am still trying to bounce back from it. It was one of my first failures since breaking into the international scene.
'It is quite an open field in the 100m, if I can get myself back to the sort of form I had at the trials, I have a good chance of winning it.'
Daniel Gyurta headed the 200m Breaststroke heats, while the USA qualified fastest for tonight's 4 x 200m Relay final in 7:06.75.
There was a shock in the women's 200m Butterfly, where Great Britain's world silver medallist Ellen Gandy finished 17th, with USA swimmer Kathleen Hersey leading the way in 2:06.41.
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

Monday, July 30, 2012

London 2012 Greenest Olympics Games

Head of Sustainability for the 2012 Olympic Games Featured on the Next Green Power Report

Tune in to Riverside Public Utilities’ (RPU) weekly radio program the “Green Power Report” tonight, at 8:30 p.m. on KTIE 590 AM when host Mike Bacich speaks with the Head of Sustainability for the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 Next London Olympics 2012 : London 2012 Greenest Olympics Games

Riverside, Calif. (PRWEB) July 30, 2012
Tune in to Riverside Public Utilities’ (RPU) weekly radio program, the “Green Power Report” tonight, at 8:30 p.m. on 590 AM when hosts Mike Bacich and Ryan Bullard speak with the Head of Sustainability for the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, David Stubbs.
Find out how the 2012 London Games are aiming to be the greenest Olympics ever by reducing, re-using and recycling in ways that will minimize the games effect on the planet.
Learn how an abandoned industrial site covered in mounds of garbage and full of rubble has been transformed into the coveted home of the 2012 Olympic Games.
This program, along with other Green Power Report broadcasts, is available to download through iTunes and via the show’s radio player athttp://www.GreenRiverside.com
For more information on the 2012 London Games sustainability efforts, visithttp://www.london2012.com/about-us/sustainability/.
Additional information about Riverside Public Utilities is available on Facebook through #RiversidePublicUtilities and Twitter through #RPUNews.
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Established in 1895, Riverside Public Utilities is a consumer-owned water and electric utility governed by a board of nine community volunteers that provides high quality, reliable services to over 106,000 metered electric customers and up to 64,000 metered water customers throughout the City of Riverside. The Utility is committed to increased use of renewable energy resources and sustainable living practices that help reduce environmental impacts within the City of Riverside and the state of California.


Picture source: current.com

London 2012 Olympic Cauldron Moved

Cauldron Moved into Position in Olympic Stadium

The Olympic Cauldron has moved to its resting place in the Olympic Stadium before the start of the London 2012 Athletics competition.

 Next London Olympics 2012 : London 2012 Olympic Cauldron Moved

(PRWEB) July 30, 2012
The Olympic Cauldron has moved to its resting place in the Olympic Stadium before the start of the London 2012 Athletics competition
The Olympic Flame was taken from the Cauldron on 29 July and placed in a special miners lantern overnight before work began to move Thomas Heatherwick’s spectacular structure from its Ceremony position in the centre of the field of play.
The Cauldron, measuring 8.5 metres, is made up of 204 steel pipes and individually designed copper petals inscribed with the competing nation’s names, has been relocated at the south end of the Stadium within eyesight of competing athletes, as an echo of the cauldron location at Wembley for the London 1948 Games.
During an 80-hour transition of the Stadium from Danny Boyle’s spectacular set for the Opening Ceremony to an Olympic sporting area for athletesfrom around the world, the Cauldron was relit.
In a small ceremony the Olympic Flame was transferred from the miners lamp to the Olympic Torchbearer Austin Playfoot who then lit the Olympic Cauldron using the Olympic Torch.
Austin Playfoot, London 1948 and London 2012 Torchbeaer said: ‘It was an honour to be asked to perform this important task of relighting the Cauldron in its resting position. When I ran with the Olympic Flame in Guildford I never thought I would get this close to the Cauldron, it brought me to tears when it lit up. It will be an incredible inspiration to the competing athletes here at the heart of the Olympic Park in the Stadium.’
Live footage of the Cauldron will be projected onto the Stadium's rooftop screens during the first week of the Games.
At the end of the Games, each team will take their petal home and the Cauldron will cease to exist.
The Olympic Flame was seen by nearly 15 million people on its 70 day-journey around the UK, and by a worldwide TV audience of around one billion people in the Opening Ceremony.
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

London Olympics Medal Tally 2012

London Olympics Final Medal Tally 2012

 Next London Olympics 2012 : London Olympics Medal Tally 2012


Rank Leaders Gold Silver Bronze
1
USA
46
29
29
2
China
38
27
22
3
Great Britain & N. Ireland 
29
17
19
4
Russia
24
25
33
5
  South Korea
13
8
7
6
Germany  
11
19
14
7
France 
11
11
12
8
Italy
8
9
11
9
Hungary 
8
4
5
10
Australia 
7
16
12
11
Japan
7
14
17
12
Kazakhstan
7
1
5
13
Netherlands
6
6
8
14
Ukraine
6
5
9
15
Cuba
5
3
6
16
New Zealand
5
3
5
17
Iran
4
5
3
18
Jamaica
4
4
4
19
Czech Republic
4
3
3
20
North Korea
4
0
2
21
Spain
3
10
4

Final Day Sunday, ‎12 August ‎2012


Saturday, July 28, 2012

London Olympic Latest News

Australia's team of Schlanger, Brittany Elmslie, Cate Campbell and Alicia Coutts won in three minutes and 33.15 seconds to earn the nation's first gold medal of the London Olympics.






First gold for Aussies - News - BigPond Sport

London 2012: Michael Phelps fourth as Ryan Lochte cruises to victory

Olympic Boxing Medals - Gold, Silver, Bronze | London 2012

Friday, July 27, 2012

Top Tips for London Olympic Travel

Top Tips for Olympic Travel in London

For an easy way into the Games take GEM’s useful Olympic travel advice.

(PRWEB UK) 27 July 2012
With the London 2012 Olympic Games set to officially start today (Friday 27th July), road safety organisation, GEM (http://www.motoringassist.com) offers up some smart travel tips for all those affected this summer.

 Next London Olympics 2012 : Top Tips for Olympic Travel in London

With thousands of people descending upon the capital, planned road closures, public transport delays, and overcrowding; the majority of journeys in and around London will be impacted throughout July and August. So, for an easy way into the Games take GEM’s useful travel advice:
1.    Free pass – all those lucky enough to have tickets to the Olympic Games this summer receive a free travel card for zones 1-9 to get to and from the event
2.    Try two wheels – take advantage of the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme and get from A to B quickly and easily, leaving your bike at one of the hundreds of docking stations. Check tfl.gov.uk before you travel to find out about closures
3.    Fuel efficiency – lift sharing is a great way of saving petrol and reducing the number of cars on the road, whenever you can, share a journey with family or friends
4.    Private parking – people all over London are renting out their drives and parking spaces so secure your spot rather than queuing for public car parks. Try parkatmyhouse.co.uk or rentduringthegames.co.uk for details
5.    Head in the clouds – steer clear of busy roads and travel on the new Emirates Air Line cable cars, which runs from Greenwich to the Royal Docks
6.    Cruise control – take to the water and get into the Games via a river taxi on the Thames. Visit thamesclippers.com or citycruises.com for schedules and prices
7.    Stay in lane – look out for the dedicated Games lanes for officials and athletes driving to events. Using these lanes, which have started opening now, could result in a fine
8.    Trouble on the tube – check the getaheadofthegames.com website for tube closures and up-to-the-minute travel updates during the Games
David Williams MBE, CEO of GEM Motoring Assist, comments: “This summer is an extremely exciting time for the whole nation; however, our transport systems are going to be under a huge amount of pressure. Planning your journey fully before you set off will ensure you see the very best bits of London during the Games whilst avoiding unnecessary hardship.”
Press Information: David Williams, MBE, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist is available for comment on 01342-825676 (office) or 07711-450560 (mobile). David Williams was awarded the MBE in 1998 for services to Road Safety.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Olympic Flame Visits Iconic London Landmarks

Day 69: Olympic Flame to Visit Iconic London Landmarks on Its Journey from Camden to Westminster

On Thursday 26 July, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel 32.70 miles through the London Boroughs of Camden, Islington, City of London, Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.


 Next London Olympics 2012 : Olympic Flame Visits Iconic London Landmarks




(PRWEB) July 26, 2012

• On Thursday 26 July the Relay will travel 32.70 miles
  •     173 Torchbearers will carry the Flame
  • Evening celebration to take place in Hyde Park
  • Images from today can be downloaded here
On Thursday 26 July, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel 32.70 miles through the London Boroughs of Camden, Islington, City of London, Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.
Highlights for today include:
London Borough of Camden
6.48am – The Roundhouse: Team GB’s deputy Chef de Mission, Clive Woodward, will start the last day of the road based relay from the Roundhouse in Camden. He coached the England team from 1997 to 2004, managing them to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is currently the British Olympic Association's Director of Elite Performance and currently helping Team GB has been an inspiration to British athletes and the sporting community. He has tasked himself with uniting Team GB so they feel a greater part of a team, especially as it will be a home Olympics.
7.14am – Regents Canal: Paris Walker, 16, from Bethnal Green, will carry the Flame along the Regent’s Canal on board a canal boat. Paris was nominated through the Coca Cola campaign for her dedication and commitment to running in the local area.
7.37am – St. Pancras Station: Luke Corduner,32, from Camden will carry the Flame in front of the Olympic rings in St. Pancras Station. Luke was nominated through the LOCOG campaign for being a great PE teacher who devotes many hours after the school day to coaching footballtennistable tennis, helping out with clubs and running a sports camp during the holidays. He was also nominated for the work he does with young people who are expelled from school or who are young offenders.
London Borough of Islington
08.24am – Islington Town Hall: David Walliams will carry the Flame in recognition for his remarkable contribution to sport. His awe-inspiring cross-Channel swim in 2006 secured him a Sports Personality of the Year award. In 2008 he swam across the Strait of Gibraltar. Then, in 2010, he led a team of friends in a cycle relay from John O’Groats to Land’s End. Swimming the Thames in September 2011 was his most gruelling, dangerous and physically demanding challenge yet. In total David has raised £8.5m for Comic Relief/Sport Relief. His contribution to sport and his demonstration of the Olympic values is extraordinary and inspiring.
The City of London
8.55am – St. Paul’s Cathedral: Kevin Craig, 41, from Clapham will carry the Flame to the steps of St Paul’s. Kevin was selected through the Lloyds TSB campaign for the help and support that he provides to Elizabeth's Legacy of Hope, a charity which provides limbs to thousands of children in developing countries.
10.03am – Millennium Bridge: Ade Adepitan will carry the Flame across the bridge. Paralympic medallist Ade was selected by Lloyds TSB because of his contribution to his sport and inspiring young athletes through his support of and involvement in the Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week.
London Borough of Southwark
10.11am – Shakespeare’s Globe: Ifeyinwa Egesi, 12, from Camberwell will take part in a photo moment in the Yard in front of stage. Ify was nominated through the London 2012 Get Set programme for being hard working, dedicated and enthusiastic at school.
London Borough of Lambeth
12.28pm - Windrush Square: Cameron Fraser, 33, from Clerkenwell, will pass the Flame to Richard Fullbrook, 47, from Dagenham, at the community event taking place there.
Cameron was selected through the Lloyds TSB campaign for his work as co-ordinator of KEEN London, the only charity in London which provides free one-to-one sports and recreational activities for children and young adults with special needs. He recruits and supervises a pool of 100+ volunteers and manages a programme of weekly activities for over 40 children who would otherwise be excluded from the fun and games of an ordinary childhood.
Richard was selected through the Lloyds TSB campaign for his work as a Divisional Officer with City of London Police. Richard is dedicated to running marathons and as a member of the 100 Marathon Club he has notched up 136 at the last count! For his 100th marathon he raised over £1,500 for ‘Help for Heroes’, a charity close to his heart as a former member of the Parachute Regiment.
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
1.56pm - Stamford Bridge: Georgina Moseley, 48, from Birmingham will carry the Flame past the home of Chelsea F.C. Georgina was selected through the Samsung campaign. She will be carrying the Flame in honour of her son Harry, who was nominated by John Terry, but sadly passed away last year after suffering from a brain tumour. Harry started helpharryhelpothers and in just over 2 years helped to raise over £700,000 for brain cancer research.
London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
2.29pm - Holland Park: Skye Mcduffus, 12, from Chelsea, will hold the Flame in front of the Opera Stage steps. Skye was nominated through the London 2012 Get Set network for being a role model to her peers at school. She demonstrates the belief that anything is possible no matter what barriers one is likely to face.
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
3.33pm – BBC White City: Two Torchbearers will exchange the Flame at the site of the finishing line in the stadium of the 1908 Olympic Games. One of the two Torchbearers is Antoine de Navacelle. Antoine is the great grand-nephew of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic Games. Antoine is closely involved in the Olympic movement and has promoted the Coubertin Award student essay competition ahead of the London 2012 Games to promote wider understanding of the Olympic ideals. As a board member of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee, Antoine acts as an advocate for the values of respect, excellence and friendship remaining embedded in the modern Olympic Games.
London Borough of Westminster
5.03pm – Oxford Street: The Flame will be carried by Torchbearers as it travels on a London bus accompanied by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Angela Harvey.
5.25pm – Regents Street/Shaftesbury Avenue: Torchbearers will carry the Flame through the West End. As the Flame passes the Gielgud Theatre, where Chariots of Fire is currently being staged, Vangelis, who composed the original score, will play music to accompany it.
5.40pm – Trafalgar Square: Patrick Kane, 15, from Camden, will carry the Flame in Trafalgar Square in the heart of the capital. Patrick was selected through the LOCOG public nomination campaign. Aged just nine months he contracted meningococcal septicaemia, the virulent form of meningitis, which resulted in a three month spell in the intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. While the doctors were ultimately successful in saving Patrick’s life, it unfortunately resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee, all of the fingers from his left hand, and part of each finger on his right hand. He now wears a prosthetic leg and is one of the few people in the UK to wear the world's most advanced bionic hand - the i-LIMB Pulse from UK company, Touch Bionics. He was the youngest ever person to be fitted with this advanced prosthesis, and he has consistently impressed the company by his ability to quickly understand and excel at controlling and using his prosthesis. He is an inspiration to everyone who meets him as his amputations have never held him back and he talks openly about what has happened to him, without a hint of bitterness or self pity.
5.59pm – Downing Street: Kate Nesbitt, 24, from Plymouth will carry the Flame into Downing Street where in front of Number 10 she will hand the Flame to Florence Rowe, 81, from Prestwood, who will then carry the Flame out of Downing Street.
Kate Nesbitt was nominated for being the first woman in the Royal Navy to be awarded the Military Cross. She was given the award in honour of her bravery in administering emergency medical treatment to her injured colleagues during an ambush in Afghanistan in March 2009.
Florence was selected through the Coca Cola campaign. When she was 18-years-old Florence was part of the crowds in London that welcomed the Olympics in 1948. Her selection as a Torchbearer fulfils her dream to again be part of the Olympics in London, reversing the number of years from 18 to 81.
6.33pm – Buckingham Palace: Jon Sayer, 33, from West Yorkshire, will carry the Flame along Birdcage Walk to the front of Buckingham Palace where he will hand the Flame to Wai Ming-Lee, 38, from Hemel Hempstead. Wai Ming-Lee will carry the Flame into Buckingham Palace where he will hand the Flame to John Hulse, 56, from Conwy, who will then carry the Flame out of Buckingham Palace. The exchange will be viewed by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
On leaving Buckingham Palace, John will be joined by members of the Household Cavalry as he travels along Constitution Hill.
Jon was nominated through the LOCOG public nomination campaign for the extraordinary contribution to the community of Todmorden. He has been a Scout volunteer for sixteen years working simultaneously with a Cub Scout Pack and an Explorer Scout unit as well as supporting fellow volunteers through their adult training. In addition to volunteering with the Scouts, Jon has undertaken training as a lifeguard, and he volunteers as a special Police Constable.
Wai Ming-Lee was nominated through the LOCOG public nomination campaign. He volunteers with the disaster mapping charity MapAction to channel aid to people left in desperate need after devastating disasters. Ming flew out for his first emergency mission in December 2004, in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami. He has since deployed on assignments across Asia, Africa and continental Europe.
John was nominated through the LOCOG public nomination campaign for his work with the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation. He has volunteered with the organisation since 1973 and taken part in over 1000 operations. Along with the other volunteers, they help casualties from steep mountains, rivers and mines of Snowdonia and elsewhere in the UK, quite often in difficult weather and darkness, frequently working with other emergency services such as the RAF helicopters, Police, Fire and Ambulance.
7.10pm – Hyde Park: Tyler Rix will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the Finale event of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay to enable the Olympic Flame to be seen by the audience. Tyler was selected through the Coca Cola campaign. He won the Schoolboys FA National Cup with the West Ham Academy, as well as representing his district and county. He released a number 1 album with Universal Records and performed as a classical soloist for the BBC Concert Orchestra and played jazz for 10000 people at the Mayor's Trafalgar Square celebrations. He is an inspiration to other youngsters to follow their dreams.
Hosted by the London Borough of Westminster the finale event will take place in Hyde Park between 2pm and 10.30pm.
Coca-Cola will bring extended live performances from some of the UK's coolest bands, whilst celebrating all our inspirational Future Flames - amazing people chosen to carry the Olympic Flame.
It will feature performances by Dizzee Rascal, and The Wanted. It will also feature a special performance by Mark Ronson and Katy B.
Other performers include: You Me at Six, Rizzle Kicks, Eliza Doolittle, Wretch 32, Morning Parade, Loick Essien, and Little Comets.
Entertainment will also be provided by Samsung and Lloyds TSB.
This is a ticketed event. See http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/coca-colacelebrations for further information.
Torchbearer highlights:
Lawrence Dallaglio and Lewis Moody will carry the Flame in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Lewis was selected through the Samsung campaign. During the 16 years of professional rugby career he has played in two World Cup Finals, won two 6 Nations Championship Winners Medals, two Heineken Cup Winners Medals and six Premiership Winners Medals. In addition to his on field activities Lewis is a patron of the charity HOPE HIV supporting AIDS orphans in Africa, he has supported the charity for a number of years now and 2 years ago visited the children out in Africa and dedicated his testimonial year to raising funds for the charity.
Lawrence was selected through the Samsung campaign. He had a successful rugby playing career with both England and Wasps which included winning the World Cup in 2003. He currently fronts his own foundation that is aiming to raise £3 million for Cancer Research UK.
Chelsea Pensioner Jim Anderson, 76, selected through the LOCOG campaign will carry the Flame at the Chelsea Hospital where fellow residents, resplendent in their scarlet coats will form a guard of honour for him. Jim was selected for being a wonderful ambassador for the Royal Hospital and, as well as this, he is still a regular marathon and 10k runner.
Amitabh Bachchan will carry the Flame in Southwark. Amitabh is highly regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors in Indian cinema. He first gained popularity in the 1970s and has since appeared in over 150 Indian films, in a career spanning more than four decades. More recently he has been appointed as a UNICEF ambassador for the Girl Child and last year accepted his doctorate from Queensland University.
Phil Packer, 39, from West Sussex, will carry the Flame in Islington. Phil was selected through the Lloyds TSB campaign for his courage and determination to overcome the serious injuries that he sustained in Iraq in 2008. He has raised over a million pounds for Help for Heroes, which included completing the London Marathon within two weeks, despite being told he would never walk again. He has continued with his charity work creating the British Inspiration Trust which he launched at No.10 with the Prime Minister.
Darren Fitzpatrick, 18, will carry the Flame through Camden. Darren has been awarded with the title ‘Gold Ambassador of Camden’ for all his dedicated volunteering work. He volunteers to help young children in sports and in other activities. He also takes part in helping children in Paralympics Sport. He volunteers with Quad Kids Athletics and is part of the three acres community play project. On average Darren does about 15 hours a week of volunteering and 10 hours a week of sports.
Tom Davis, 30 will carry the Flame through The City of Westminster. Tom is the 2006 Commonwealth Judo Champion and was selected by Coca-Cola to run with the Olympic Torch due to his role in helping young people pursue their passion in sport.
James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola Northwest Europe & Nordics, said: “Today, on the final and sixty-ninth day of our incredible journey, more Coca-Cola Future Flames will help us celebrate the arrival of the Torch at it reaches its final destination in London. Katharine Ford and Caroline Hopkins, amongst others, will carry the Olympic Flame in Camden Town and Lambeth as it makes its way to Hyde Park. We will also get everyone to Move to the Beat tonight as we bring a whole host of musical talent including Dizzee Rascal, The Wanted, You Me At Six, Eliza Doolittle, Mark Ronson & Katy B, Rizzle Kicks, Wretch 32, Morning Parade, Loick Essien and Little Comets to the stage at our finale celebration in Westminster’s Hyde Park.”
Sally Hancock, Director, London 2012 Partnership at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We are just one day away from the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony and the final journey of the Olympic Flame to the Stadium. Today, the Flame makes its way through London from Islington to the City of Westminster and Lloyds TSB is looking forward to bringing the excitement of London 2012 to every community along the way. Lloyds TSB is creating as many opportunities as possible for people to get involved as the Relay passes their door. We’re calling on everyone to cheer their Lloyds TSB Torchbearers, including Major Phil Packer and Paralympian Ade Adepitan, who carrying the Flame today. Our troupe of performers, the Flame Followers, are lighting up the celebrations along the route ahead of the Relay before their Flame Followers Spectacular in Hyde Park tonight.”
Sunny Hwang, Vice President & Head of Global Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics, said: "Samsung's Olympic Torch Relay campaign shares the Olympic spirit and encourages everyone to take part in London 2012. Samsung has offered an inspiring opportunity to people around the world to carry the Olympic Flame, as part of our ambition to make London 2012 Everyone's Olympic Games."
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.
Notes to editors:
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 linkhttp://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.
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.
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.
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 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

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

London Olympic Flame Visits Wimbledon

Day 66: Olympic Flame to Visit Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and Wimbledon on Its Journey From Lewisham to Wandsworth

On Monday 23 July, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel 36.88 miles through the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth.


 Next London Olympics 2012 : London Olympic Flame Visits Wimbledon



(PRWEB) July 23, 2012
On Monday 23 July, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel 36.88 miles through the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth. 
  • On Monday 23 July the Relay will travel 36.88 miles
  • 187 Torchbearers, including Tennis ace Andy Murray will carry the Flame
  • Evening celebration to take place on Tooting Bec Common, Wandsworth
  • Images from the day will be available for downloadhere
Highlights for tomorrow include:
Two special visits away from the main route of the Torch Relay:
12.50pm – Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Wandsworth: In recognition of our animal loving nation, former England footballer and supporter of the home’s work, Michael Owen, will carry the Flame on a special visit to the centre. Michael will help celebrate the dedication of the staff and volunteers who have rescued, reunited and rehomed over 3.1 million dogs and cats since the centre was established in 1860. Approximately 50 dogs currently in residence will form a special guard of honour for Michael, who himself is the owner of four rescued dogs.
9pm TX – Olympic Flame visit to Walford: EastEnder Billy Mitchell is to carry the Flame around Albert Square, with the last seven minutes of the programme to be transmitted live.
London Borough of Lewisham
7.21am - Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance: The first Torchbearer of the day Ceinwen Giles, 37, from Lewisham will carry the Flame outside the centre that is the UK’s only conservatoire of music and contemporary dance. Ceinwen was nominated through the LOCOG campaign for her bravery in fighting cancer which she was diagnosed with just four weeks after giving birth to her daughter.
7.46am - Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust Centre: Doreen Lawrence, 59, from Catford will carry the Flame into the forecourt of the centre set up in memory of her son to offer a base for community learning and development. Doreen has been instrumental in changing part of the UK legal system as a result of the Stephen Lawrence Enquiry. In the aftermath to the inquiry, she continued to campaign for justice for her son and for others and in 2003 she was awarded an OBE for services to community relations. She is also the founder of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, a national education charity committed to providing opportunity and access to disadvantaged young people, fostering positive community relationships, and enabling people to realise their potential.
Doreen will hand the Flame to Kieran Lang, 16, from Lewisham. Kieran was elected as the Young Mayor of Lewisham in October 2011. He represents the young people of borough in meetings with politicians, officers and partners to influence and make decisions about issues which are important to young people and the wider community.
London Borough of Bromley
10.46am - Crystal Palace Stadium: Marlon Devonish will carry the Flame for a lap of the world renowned athleticstrack. He competed as a member GB & NI Athletics Team for over 13 years, and 2011 saw Marlon compete in a record 8th World Championship. Marlon's honours include medals from European Junior Championships, European U23 Championships, Commonwealth Games, European and World Championships, and also the Olympic Games (Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008).
London Borough of Croydon
12.47pm - St. Andrew's School: Internationally acclaimed actor Sir Patrick Stewart, known for his Shakespearean stage work and leading roles in contemporary film and television is set to carry the Flame into the lunch stop. After the crew break, Twinelle Hopeson, 20, from Croydon who was selected through the Lloyds TSB campaign for winning double gold in the UK School Games, her commitment and dedication to her sport of Athletics and inspiring her peers through helping the Summer Trust Program in her community, will carry the Flame out of the lunchtime stop.    
London Borough of Sutton
2.50pm – High Street: Stephen Ireland, 40, from Sutton will carry the Flame along the pedestrianised High Street. He was selected by Lloyds TSB for his fundraising for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
London Borough of Merton
3.34pm – The Tooting & Mitcham Community Sports Club: TV presenter and former tennis professional, Sue Barker is set to carry the Olympic Flame into the Centre. Sue has been the BBC’s Athletics Presenter for the past four Olympic Games and is also a member of the BBC’s team to deliver coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games. During her tennis career, she won the women's singles title at the French Open and reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 3.
5.18pm - Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club: Tennis ace and British No.1 Andy Murray will carry the Flame through doors onto Centre Court for a special photo opportunity with the Young Games Maker volunteers from the local boroughs who are the Ball Boys and Girls for the London 2012 Olympic Tennis tournament. London 2012 will be Andy’s second Olympic Games and he is set to compete in both the Men’s Singles and Doubles competition that starts on 28 July 2012.
Andy will then carry the Flame to Henman Hill where he will hand the Flame on to five times Wimbledon Ladies singles and five times Ladies Doubles champion Venus Williams for a second photo opportunity at the Olympic Tennis venue. Venus has won three Olympic gold medals to date and is set to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Tennis Women’s Double competition with sister Serena.
London Borough of Wandsworth
6.50pm – Tooting Bec Common: Final Torchbearer of the day Tim Henman will carry the Olympic Flame on to the stage to light the celebration cauldron. Tim is best known for his Wimbledon appearances, where he drew huge support from the British crowds and captured their hearts with his inspiring performances. He retired from tennis in 2007, after helping Great Britain to a Davis Cup victory over Croatia. Tim competed in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, where together with partner Neil Broad they won a silver medal which remains Great Britain’s last Olympic tennis medal to date.
The evening celebration will feature a variety of entertainment staged by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung - with support from the London Borough of Wandsworth.
The evening celebration will take place in Tooting Bec Common in Wandsworth.
The line-up includes music from the Rizzle Kicks, also a dance troupe who will provide a unique fusion of street performance, theatre and sport and dance act Twist and Pulse. There will also be local acts on stage Wanted Down Under - winners of the Wandsworth Young Performer competition 2011 and the Graveney School Choir.
Towards the end of the two-hour show, the last Torchbearer of the day – Tim Henman - will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the event which will enable the Olympic Flame to be seen by the audience.
Torchbearer highlights:
Dave Berry and Lisa Snowdon will carry the Flame in Merton. The Capital FM breakfast presenters have been selected by Coca Cola. Lisa works with several charities in an ambassadorial role. She is an ambassador for Breast Cancer Care having lost a family member to the disease. Lisa attends events organised by the charity and has hosted their annual Pink Ball at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. She is also an ambassador for Help A Capital Child and in 2009 completed a sponsored parachute jump for them raising almost £25,000. She has recently started working as ambassador for The Meningitis Trust and last year completed an abseil from the top of St Guys Hospital London in order to raise money and awareness for them. Dave works for a number of charities on a regular basis. Recently he has hosted events/shows for Unicef (Soccer Aid) and Comic Relief, and devotes a significant amount of time to Demelza House, a hospice for terminally-ill children. Alongside his personal commitments he also acts as an ambassador for Capital FM`s charity Help A Capital Child, spending time to visit projects that the charity funds, most recently a Teenage Cancer Trust unit at UCL Hospital, bringing a smile to the faces of the teenagers he met.
Fred (Skip) Webb, 85, is set to carry the Flame in Croydon. Selected through the Samsung campaign for devoted his entire life to Scouting, first as a leader then a District Commissioner and now in his later years as a fellow of the boy scouts. This alone is amazing but added to this is his commitment to the local Scout Camp at Chalfont. Every weekend and often during the week Skip will be found out at large helping others.
Jordan Dalrymple, 18, from Kennington will carry the Flame in Wandsworth. Jordan is a Volleyball player and Lloyds TSB Local Hero from Kennington. He was selected through the Lloyds TSB programme because of his commitment and dedication to his sport of Volleyball and inspiring his peers through coaching juniors within his school. Jordan has been England Cadet Squad Captain.
James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola Northwest Europe & Nordics, said: ‘Today, with just four days to go, more Coca-Cola Future Flames will help us celebrate the sixty-sixth day of our amazing journey, including Jessica Maclean and Christopher Donnellan who carry the Olympic Flame in Lewisham. We will also get everyone to Move to the Beat tonight as we bring Rizzle Kicks to the stage in Wandsworth.’
Sally Hancock, Director, London 2012 Partnership at Lloyds TSB, said: ‘We are proud to be bringing the excitement of London 2012 to communities along the route of the Olympic Torch Relay as it continues its journey today through Lewisham, Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth. Lloyds TSB is creating as many opportunities as possible for people to get involved as the Olympic Flame passes their door. We’re calling on everyone to cheer on their local Lloyds TSB Torchbearers – extraordinary people like Lloyds TSB Local Heroes Twinelle Hopeson and Jordan Dalrymple, carrying the Flame in Croydon and Wandsworth. The Lloyds TSB Flame Followers will light up the route ahead of the Flame, before their Flame Followers Spectacular performance on Tooting Bec Common tonight.’
Sunny Hwang, Vice President & Head of Global Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics, said: ‘Samsung's Olympic Torch Relay campaign shares the Olympic spirit and encourages everyone to take part in London 2012. Samsung has offered an inspiring opportunity to people around the world to carry the Olympic Flame, as part of our ambition to make London 2012 Everyone's Olympic Games.’
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.
Notes to editors:
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 linkhttp://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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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

Australian Swimming Team Better Prepared for Games than the USA

Australian Swimming Team Better Prepared for Games than the USA

The Australian Swim team is heading into next month’s Olympics better prepared than the US team says Effortless Swimming’s Brenton Ford.

Melbourne, Victoria (PRWEB) July 23, 2012
Australia’s Olympic swimming team is determined to knock the American’s off their perch with a longer preparation on their side ahead of this month's London Games.
The Australian swim team competed at their Olympic trials over three months before the Americans held theirs earlier this month, giving the Australian’s enough time to taper and go through an extra phase of training before the Games.
 Next London Olympics 2012 : Australian Swimming Team Better Prepared for Games than the USA

Effortless Swimming’s Brenton Ford explained in a recent video update to Swimprove members that the US team couldn’t taper for their trials because it would have compromised their Olympic preparation. This has given the Australian’s the advantage of a longer adjustment period.
“The Australian swim team is poised for dream run at this year’s Olympics because of their earlier date for Olympic trials in March,” Brenton explains.“This allowed them a full taper and an extra training phase leading into the Olympics.”
“Historically Australia has had better results at the Games when you look at their entry times and the times they've swum at the meet,” he said.
The Australians have left nothing to chance, attending a series of training camps even before the US team was selected.
The extra time has given the team the opportunity to replicate some of the good things they did in March, as well as improving on others.
Brenton says this kind of preparation isn’t just for elite athletes.Swimmers can make simple adjustments to their own technique to improve their efficiency between competitions and training sessions too.
“Day-to-day triathletes and swimmers can make fast improvements with the right workouts and technique,” Brenton says.“If they prepare in advance for their main race of the season with a program like Swimprove, they give themselves a huge advantage over their competitors.”
Swimmers can improve their times by working on body awareness shown through the Swimprove program, and like the Australian team, by leaving no stone unturned in their preparation.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

London Set to Welcome Olympic Flame

London Set to Welcome Olympic Flame

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) confirmed arrangements for the Olympic Flame’s final journey down the River Thames on Friday 27 July and a selection of highlights for its seven-day journey around the capital.

 Next London Olympics 2012 : London Set to Welcome Olympic Flame

(PRWEB) July 21, 2012
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) confirmed arrangements for the Olympic Flame’s final journey down the River Thames on Friday 27 July and a selection of highlights for its seven-day journey around the capital. 
  • 982 Torchbearers will carry the Flame around the capital during its seven day tour
  • 18 Torchbearers on final day, seven of whom will travel down the Thames on Gloriana, The Queen’s Rowbarge
  • Londoners advised to stay local and plan ahead at GetAheadoftheGames.com
  • Click here for daily highlights sheets and summary maps
Having visited over 1,000 communities around the UK and celebrated the achievements of over 7,000 Torchbearers to date, the Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung will see the Flame carried by 982 Torchbearers around 200 miles of the capital’s streets, taking in landmarks, community spaces and places to showcase London and Londoners to the world.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: ‘Thank you to everyone who has cheered on the Torchbearers right around the UK and helped to build the excitement towards the start of the Games. With eleven days to go until the Olympic Flame the lights the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony it is great to see London ready to welcome the Flame and set to celebrate inspiring people and amazing places in each and every Borough.’
Given the huge and enthusiastic crowds that have followed the Olympic Torch Relay on its journey around the UK – as estimated 9 million people have cheered on the Torchbearers to date - LOCOG and Transport for London (TfL) advise that the week when the Olympic Torch Relay is in London is expected to be exceptionally busy. Very large crowds are expected to line the London route and, alongside a number of road closures as the Olympic Flame visits all 33 London Boroughs from Saturday 21 to Friday 27 July, this will have an impact on traffic and transport networks in local areas.
As a result, at certain times and in certain places, London’s roads and public transport networks are expected to be much busier than usual. LOCOG and 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. People will also be able to watch the arrival of the Flame live on the BBC.
On Thursday 26 and Friday 27 July in particular, roads in central London will be exceptionally busy and there will be a large number of road closures necessary along the route. On 27 Friday July, those without a ticket for the Opening Ceremony or another event in the Stratford area are advised to avoid the area from 3.00pm.
TfL has already issued advice to motorists that, from this week, they should avoid driving in central London, around the Olympic Route Network and Games venues.
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.
On Friday 27 July, the final day of the London 2012 Torch Relay will gather momentum at Hampton Court Palace where Torchbearers will carry the Flame around the grounds of the Palace and through the world’s oldest hedge maze.
At about 7.30am the Flame will be carried on board Gloriana, The Queen’s 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. The Flame will light a ceremonial cauldron on board Gloriana and over the course of the morning seven Torchbearers will light a Torch from the cauldron and carry the Flame for about eight minutes each at selected areas that are viewable from the banks of the River. The Torchbearers for the last day of the Relay – all members of the public with personal best stories - will be confirmed shortly.
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 crews dating back to the 1948 Games and ‘Olympians of the future’ from London Youth Rowing. Gloriana will be accompanied by a small number of craft designed to showcase London’s waterborne heritage as the Flame makes its way towards the Olympic Stadium.
The finale to the public participation in the Torch Relay will see 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.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘The arrival of the Olympic Flame is a huge moment for the capital and an incredible opportunity for Londoners to experience, right on their doorsteps, the growing excitement as the countdown to the start of the 2012 Olympic Games moves ever nearer. From Redbridge to Bexley, Richmond to Haringey an incredible array of events and celebrations are planned so I'd encourage everyone to find out what's happening in their local area and get involved in this summer like no other.’
Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson said: ‘The Torch Relay has received a rousing reception from the British public over the last two months, with millions of people lining the streets to support the local hero Torchbearers as they passed by some of Britain’s most iconic landmarks and landscapes.
‘Now the Flame is on the home straight. Its arrival in London and journey through the capital marks the final countdown to what will be a great Games.’
A selection of highlights for the week-long tour of the capital include:
Friday 20 July
8.00pm (approx) – HM Tower of London: the Olympic Flame will arrive at Tower Wharf in front of the Tower of London. In a brief moment - best viewed on television as the view will be obscured on the ground - a Royal Marine Commando, carrying the Flame in a lantern, will undertake a 180ft abseil from a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter. Two Torchbearers will then carry the Flame around the Tower of London to be welcomed by Mayor of London Boris Johnson and the Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets and invited guests. At the Jewel House the Flame will be handed to the General the Lord Dannatt, Constable of the Tower of London, where it will remain overnight.
Saturday 21 July
7.21am – Greenwich Park: The London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay starts with Natasha Sinha, 15, from Greenwich who was nominated through the LOCOG campaign for her dedication to swimming and cross country running will carry the Flame from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich and the Meridian Time Line, through Greenwich Park to the London 2012 Equestrian Arena. There Natasha will hand the Flame to Ella Statham, 15, also from Greenwich who was nominated through the LOCOG programme for her volunteering work with the London Football Association.
7.43am – Cutty Sark: Sir Robin Knox-Johnson will carry the Flame for a lap around the restored Cutty Sark ship. Sir Robin was the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world, founded the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 1995 and has been a Cutty Sark Trustee since 2011.
Sunday 22 July
Time to be confirmed – EDF Energy London Eye: Amelia Hempleman-Adams, 17, from Surrey, who at the age of 16 became the youngest person to ski to the South Pole will hold the Flame on top of a capsule on the London Eye.
Monday 23 July
7.46am – Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust Centre: Doreen Lawrence, 59, from Catford will carry the Flame into the forecourt of the centre set up in memory of her son as base for community learning and development.
5.18pm – Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club: a Torchbearer will carry the Flame onto Centre Court.
Tuesday 24 July
8.22am – Hook Community Centre: The first Torchbearer of the day James Cracknell, 40, will start the Torch Relay at the Hook Community Centre in Kingston. Since retiring from international rowing in 2004 he is perhaps best known for his physical endeavours since this time. Many of the challenges that James undertakes result in him raising huge amounts of money for charity. Currently, James is campaigning to promote the use of cycle helmets using his own inspirational journey of recovery to illustrate their importance since his near fatal collision whilst riding his bike in 2010.
Wednesday 25 July
6.50pm – Alexandra Palace: Daley Thompson will be the last Torchbearer of the day and will light the celebration cauldron at the Haringey evening celebration event. Daley holds more decathlon honours than anybody before or after him. He was the first person ever to hold the World, Olympic, Commonwealth and European titles at the same time, as well as the World Record. He was unbeaten in competition for 9 years. He trained at nearby HaringeyAthletics Club.
Thursday 26 July
3.33pm – BBC White City: Two Torchbearers will exchange the Flame at the site of the finishing line in the stadium of the 1908 Olympic Games. One of the two Torchbearers is Antoine de Navacelle. Antoine is the great grand-nephew of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic Games. Antoine is closely involved in the Olympic movement and has promoted the Coubertin Award student essay competition ahead of the London 2012 Games to promote wider understanding of the Olympic ideals. As a board member of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee, Antoine acts as an advocate for the values of respect, excellence and friendship remaining embedded in the modern Olympic Games
5.59pm – Downing Street: A Torchbearer will be given a special welcome to Downing Street.
Each day’s celebrations will conclude with an evening celebration that features a variety of entertainment staged by the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung and the host boroughs of Waltham Forest (Saturday 21 July), Bexley (Sunday 22 July), Wandsworth (Monday 23 July), Ealing (Tuesday 24 July) and Haringey (Wednesday 25 July). On the evening of Thursday 26 July, Coca-Cola is presenting the final evening celebration of the Torch Relay with an extended show at Hyde Park, Westminster. Please see daily highlights sheets for event information.
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.
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.
For further information and images of Gloriana please contact Ben Fry or Will Carnwath, Brunswick Group on 020 7404 5959 or email Gloriana(at)brunswickgroup(dot)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 linkhttp://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.
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.
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.
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 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.