The ceremonial lighting of the Olympic Flame in Greece
St George, Old Market, Hotwells and Henleaze will be among Bristol’s local communities set to host the Olympic Flame next May as it travels around the nation prior to the start of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
More than 2,000 inspirational Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame to 1,000 villages, towns and cities across the country during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
The Olympic Torch arrives in Bristol on the evening of Tuesday, May 22, having left Taunton and toured throughout towns and villages in Somerset. City council chiefs are planning a party at the Amphitheatre, by the city’s historic harbourside to mark the occasion.
The route is likely to take in the Clifton Suspension Bridge, as well as Queen Square and the Floating Harbour.
Children and young adults are central to Bristol’s celebrations and many local schools and colleges are already working with the council and other partners to welcome the Olympic Torch.
“Everyone is very excited about the Olympic Torch being carried through the streets of Bristol,” said deputy council leader Cllr Simon Cook.
“From what we know, the Olympic Torch Relay arrives in Bristol on Tuesday, May 22, the torch will stay
over night in Bristol and then, the following day will continue on its way.
“The announcement by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) gives us more of a clue as to which communities will proudly host the Olympic Torch Relay, but the actual route still remains top secret to LOCOG.
“I’m sure residents in Bristol will want to welcome the torch relay, cheer the torchbearers and celebrate the coming of the 2012 Olympics.”
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, added: “We are thrilled to confirm Bristol and its communities will act as host locations for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to Bristol residents to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK.
“This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Bristol to start planning how they can be part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to the start of the Olympic Games.”
The 70-day Olympic Torch Relay, will start at Land’s End on the morning of May 19. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK.
After its visit to Bristol, the Torch will move on to Cheltenham. View the interactive map at: www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap
