Press Release: Coventry given chance to shine as part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route

A celebration event will be held in Coventry after it was announced the Olympic Torch Relay will stop in the city during its journey around the UK.

The Olympic Flame is set to visit Coventry in the build-up to London 2012 as the city prepares to host a total of 12 Olympic football tournament matches at the City of Coventry Stadium. The Olympic Torch Relay will provide another once in a generation opportunity for the people of Coventry and beyond to be inspired and part of the 2012 Games.

The torch will arrive in the city on Sunday July 1, 2012 and stay overnight, giving the city an opportunity to showcase its culture and heritage, before continuing on its journey around the country.

Coventry is one of 66 Evening Celebration locations across the UK confirmed today by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).  The evening events will offer thousands of people the opportunity to come together and get involved in celebrations and share in the Olympic spirit.  As part of the events LOCOG and the Presenting Partners, Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung, will stage exciting entertainment shows where a cauldron will be lit from the Olympic Flame, marking the end of the day’s proceedings.

The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK from Greece on Friday 18 May 2012 and the 70 day Torch Relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of the 19 May 2012.  On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame is expected to travel an estimated 8,000 miles across the UK, giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to their doorstep. The Olympic Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Councillor John Mutton, Leader of Coventry City Council said: “We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to host the Olympic Flame in Coventry and we are sure its visit will provide a celebration many of us will never forget.

“The Olympic Games is unlikely to come to our shores again in our lifetimes, let alone our city, so it really is important to seize the opportunity to join in the celebrations.

“There is a whole host of 2012-inspired activity taking place across the region right now and I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved in any way they can before the chance passes us by.”

Sebastian Coe, chair of LOCOG said: “We are thrilled that Coventry City Council has agreed to host the Olympic Flame on its journey right across the UK.

“The Olympic Flame will shine a light right across Coventry, celebrating the culture and heritage of the area and showcasing the very best of the city.

“We have no doubt that the welcome Coventry will provide will demonstrate how the spirit of the Olympic Games is reaching out across the UK and excitement builds as the start of the 2012 Games draws closer.”

The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers and once the detailed daily route is confirmed later this year, it is our aim that 95 per cent of the population will be within a one hour journey time, of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

The London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer nomination programme launches today at 11am. Together with the three Presenting Partners – Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung, LOCOG is seeking 8,000 of the most inspirational people to have their moment to shine next summer by carrying the Olympic Flame. Full details of the LOCOG Torchbearer programme and how to nominate potential Torchbearers will be released from 11am today.

In addition to the locations confirmed on the route today, many other cities, towns, villages and places of outstanding natural beauty, sports venues and community hubs will be announced in a second, more detailed route announcement later this year that will confirm the many other places the Olympic Flame will visit on each day of the Relay.