Edinburgh to star in Olympics 2012

Scotland’s Capital city is to host an Evening Celebration event for the London 2012 Olympic Flame as part of its journey around the UK next summer.

The London 2012 Torch Relay will visit Edinburgh on 13 June 2012, where a spectacular event featuring live music and entertainment will be laid on in an iconic city centre location to mark the occasion in style.

Edinburgh is one of 66 Evening Celebration locations/6 Island Visits 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 Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “As well as providing a truly breathtaking backdrop for the Torch Relay, our Evening Celebration event will showcase the best that Edinburgh has to offer, not just that evening but all year round. It’s fantastic that the Olympics – the world’s greatest sporting event – and the Edinburgh Festivals – the world’s greatest cultural event – are taking place at the same time. This affords a once in a lifetime chance to promote Edinburgh and Scotland as the cultural destination of choice in 2012.”

Councillor Deidre Brock, Culture and Leisure Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said:  “Having the Olympic Flame visit Edinburgh is an unmissable opportunity for the city. The event will give a tremendous boost to our bid to inspire people of all ages across the city to enjoy taking part in sport and keeping physically active. Plans are already under way to make sure the Olympic Flame gets an unforgettable welcome in Scotland’s Capital.”

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “We are thrilled that The City of Edinburgh Council has agreed to host the Olympic Flame on its journey right across the UK.  The Olympic Flame will shine a light right across Scotland’s Capital, celebrating the culture and heritage of the area and showcasing the very best of the city.  We have no doubt that the welcome Edinburgh 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% population will be within a one hour journey time, of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

TORCHBEARER PROGRAMME DETAILS

The LOCOG Torchbearer programme to find 2,012 inspirational people who have gone beyond their personal best will run for six weeks from today. The nomination portal at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay asks nominators for up to 150 words on why their nominee should carry the Olympic Flame. The deadline for nominating through the LOCOG campaign is 11.59pm on Wednesday 29 June 2011. Judging panels will be set up in each Nation and Region of the UK to select the Torchbearers for their area.

90% of the 8,000 Torchbearer places will be made available to the public through a number of channels including the four public nomination campaigns to be run by LOCOG, Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.  Each of the 8,000 Torchbearers will have a story of achievement and or contribution to their local community.

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.