London 2012 | Paralympic Torch Relay
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Route details revealed for Paralympic Torch Relay
The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has today announced highlights from the Paralympic Torch Relay, revealing some of the iconic landmarks the Flame will visit.
http://www.london2012.com/news/articles/paralympic-torch-relay-route-revealed-1258473.html
The 24-hour Relay – presented by BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s – will see the Paralympic Flame carried 87 miles by 580 inspirational Torchbearers, working in teams of five, from Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire to London.
The Flame will travel through communities in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire before visiting a number of iconic London landmarks, including Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street and Trafalgar Square – which will host live entertainment and sport screened throughout the Paralympic Games
It will also cross the River Thames over some of London’s most famous bridges including Lambeth Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and Tower Bridge, which will have a spectacular Agitos on display.
Flame Lighting Ceremony
Stoke Mandeville is today welcoming the Olympic Torch Relay, but in 50 days time Stoke Mandeville Stadium will be the venue for the official Paralympic Flame Lighting Ceremony on 28 August.
Four flames from London, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh will be united in the stadium to form the Paralympic Flame ahead of the 24-hour overnight Relay, concluding at the Olympic Stadium on 29 August.
Sir Philip Craven, International Paralympic Committee President, said: 'The announcement of the route for the Paralympic Torch Relay is another step closer to the start of the Paralympic Games.
'I think it is fantastic that is starts at Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual birthplace of the Movement, and am confident that the British public will turn out in force to support those taking part in the Relay.'
LOCOG is encouraging over 15,000 Local Leaders to help light the way to the Paralympic Games by getting people together to make lanterns and attend their local Flame Festivals, Flame Celebrations or hold their own Light a Lantern events.
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The Torch
The London 2012 Paralympic Torch has been created to represent modernity and innovation, with a mirrored finish reflecting the light of the Flame and teams of Torchbearers that carry it.
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The Paralympic Torch was designed by London-based designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. Reflecting the UK’s talent in design and manufacturing, it was created by working in partnership with Basildon-based product engineers Tecosim and Coventry-based manufacturers The Premier Group.
The Torch has been given a mirrored finish which means that its colour will adapt to its surroundings. It will not only reflect the light from the Flame but also shine bright on the teams of Torchbearers that carry it and the communities that it travels through on the 24-hour Relay from Stoke Mandeville to the Olympic Stadium.
Design: light yet strong
The three-sided form was inspired by the multiples of ‘three’ identified across London 2012. One of these is the Agitos, the symbol of the International Paralympic Committee.
The three Agitos encircle a central point to emphasise the role the International Paralympic Committee plays in bringing athletes from all corners of the world together to compete. In the same way, the three sides of the Paralympic Torch encircle the Paralympic Flame.
Colour: a reflective finish
The Torch reflects light and shines to light the way during the night, which is particularly appropriate for our overnight Relay.
The Paralympic Torch Relay is all about community involvement and engagement, and the Paralympic Torch reflects the communities it will be travelling through.
It is always changing depending on its surroundings, so is adaptable and flexible.
The London 2012 Paralympic Torch has been created to represent modernity and innovation, with a mirrored finish reflecting the light of the Flame and teams of Torchbearers that carry it.
The Paralympic Torch was designed by London-based designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. Reflecting the UK’s talent in design and manufacturing, it was created by working in partnership with Basildon-based product engineers Tecosim and Coventry-based manufacturers The Premier Group.
The Torch has been given a mirrored finish which means that its colour will adapt to its surroundings. It will not only reflect the light from the Flame but also shine bright on the teams of Torchbearers that carry it and the communities that it travels through on the 24-hour Relay from Stoke Mandeville to the Olympic Stadium.
Design: light yet strong
- Made from an aluminium alloy, the Torch is light whilst having good strength and excellent heat resistance. Thousands of round perforations, made using cutting-edge laser technology, help ensure that heat from the flame is quickly dissipated without being conducted down the handle.
- The perforations also make the Torch lighter and give it a strong texture that is easy to grip.
- They also offer a transparency that allows people to see right to the heart of the Torch and view the burner system which will keep the Flame alive.
- The Torch stands 800mm high.
- The Torch is made up of an inner and an outer skin. These skins are held in place by a cast top piece and base.
- Although appearing completely seamless, the Torch body is actually made from six separate components.
The three-sided form was inspired by the multiples of ‘three’ identified across London 2012. One of these is the Agitos, the symbol of the International Paralympic Committee.
The three Agitos encircle a central point to emphasise the role the International Paralympic Committee plays in bringing athletes from all corners of the world together to compete. In the same way, the three sides of the Paralympic Torch encircle the Paralympic Flame.
Colour: a reflective finish
The Torch reflects light and shines to light the way during the night, which is particularly appropriate for our overnight Relay.
The Paralympic Torch Relay is all about community involvement and engagement, and the Paralympic Torch reflects the communities it will be travelling through.
It is always changing depending on its surroundings, so is adaptable and flexible.
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