2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route to visit York

The Olympic Torch relay is coming to York on 19 and 20 June 2012

York is celebrating after it was announced that the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route will visit the city as part of its journey round the UK.

The torch relay will arrive in York on Tuesday 19 June, leaving the following day. Bringing the Olympic Flame to the city is a long held ambition for York @Large who first wrote to the London Organising Committee (LOCOG) requesting a visit shortly after it was confirmed that London was to host the games.

Dianne Willcocks, Chair of York @ Large, said: “The whole world will be following the Olympic Torch relay route and this gives us a unique moment to showcase the beauty of York.

“We hope that as the torch travels through our city everyone will take the opportunity to be involved: whether is decorating the space, animating the route, holding an event on the day or just cheering from the side we would like people from all parts of our community to give the torch a real York welcome.”

York 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.

Kersten England, City of York Council’s Chief Executive welcomed the news. She said: “This is a great honour for the city; the torch brings with it the spirit of the Olympics, a celebration of excellence that reaches out to all sections of the community. We will be working with partners across the city to ensure we make the most of this overnight visit.

“York is such a great backdrop with the Minster, the rivers, the Shambles and the city walls. We want as many people as possible to apply to be torch bearers in the city and challenge them to think of unusual ways to transport the torch around the city. We have a fantastic rail heritage, a beautiful riverside, we are known as a walkable city and of course are a ‘cycle city’. It would be wonderful to see as many different modes of transport used on the torch route as possible.”

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “We are thrilled that City of York Council has agreed to host the Olympic Flame on its journey right across the UK. The Olympic Flame will shine a light right across York celebrating the culture and heritage of the area and showcasing the very best of the city. We have no doubt that the welcome City of York Council 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 LOCOG’s 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 (18 May).

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.