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27/07/2012
Olympic Flame Takes To The Thames For Its Journey To The Opening Ceremony
After 69 days travelling the length and breadth of the UK, today the Flame embarks on its final journey towards the Olympic Stadium for tonight's Opening Ceremony.
Starting from Hampton Court Palace, Olympic Rowing gold medallist Matthew Pinsent will carry the Flame on to the Royal rowbarge, the Gloriana, named by Her Majesty as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The rowbarge will be rowed down the Thames to Tower Bridge by 16 oarsmen and women including Olympic Rowers James Cracknell and Jonny Searle.
Once on board, Pinsent will light a ceremonial cauldron, which will be used to light the Torches of seven young Torchbearers, in turn, who will carry the Flame as it travels down the river.
One of the Torchbearers aboard will be Amber Charles, 22, from Newham, who played a key role in London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games seven years ago, presenting London’s proposal to stage the Games to members of the IOC at Lausanne in 2004.
As the last Torchbearer on the Thames, Amber will carry the Flame to City Hall. The Flame will then remain out of public view until it appears at the Opening Ceremony.
Over the past 70 days, more than 13 million people have lined the streets of the UK to show their support for the Torch Relay.
LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: "Thank you to each and every person for giving the Olympic Flame such a magnificent welcome and celebrating the best of the UK with us. Together we have given the London 2012 Games the best possible start."
The Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium this evening for the Opening Ceremony, where the Olympic Cauldron will be lit and stay alight until it is extinguished on the final day of the Games.
(CD)
Starting from Hampton Court Palace, Olympic Rowing gold medallist Matthew Pinsent will carry the Flame on to the Royal rowbarge, the Gloriana, named by Her Majesty as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The rowbarge will be rowed down the Thames to Tower Bridge by 16 oarsmen and women including Olympic Rowers James Cracknell and Jonny Searle.
Once on board, Pinsent will light a ceremonial cauldron, which will be used to light the Torches of seven young Torchbearers, in turn, who will carry the Flame as it travels down the river.
One of the Torchbearers aboard will be Amber Charles, 22, from Newham, who played a key role in London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games seven years ago, presenting London’s proposal to stage the Games to members of the IOC at Lausanne in 2004.
As the last Torchbearer on the Thames, Amber will carry the Flame to City Hall. The Flame will then remain out of public view until it appears at the Opening Ceremony.
Over the past 70 days, more than 13 million people have lined the streets of the UK to show their support for the Torch Relay.
LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: "Thank you to each and every person for giving the Olympic Flame such a magnificent welcome and celebrating the best of the UK with us. Together we have given the London 2012 Games the best possible start."
The Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium this evening for the Opening Ceremony, where the Olympic Cauldron will be lit and stay alight until it is extinguished on the final day of the Games.
(CD)
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Olympic torch lit in Athens as Games countdown begins
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The countdown to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games began today with the lighting of the Olympic flame in ancient Olympia, Greece. The lighting ceremony featured a high priestess who lit the Olympic flame in the Temple of Hera using a parabolic mirror to capture the sun’s rays and ignite an Olympic torch.
27 July 2012
Seven Years Of Preparation Culminates With Olympic Opening Ceremony
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Secrecy Urged Of Spectators At Opening Ceremony Preview
Thousands of spectators who attended a preview of the Olympic Games opening ceremony yesterday are being urged to keep the details secret and not spoil the surprise for others. Danny Boyle, the ceremony's artistic director, reportedly addressed the audience to "save the surprise".
29 May 2012
Olympic Flame Visits The Summit Of Snowdon
The Olympic Flame travels 79.35 miles from Beaumaris to Chester today, carried by 125 inspirational Torchbearers. Day 11 of the Olympic Torch Relay has already seen the Flame travel by RNLI Lifeboat and visit the summit of Snowdon, where it was carried by mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington.
Olympic Flame Visits The Summit Of Snowdon
The Olympic Flame travels 79.35 miles from Beaumaris to Chester today, carried by 125 inspirational Torchbearers. Day 11 of the Olympic Torch Relay has already seen the Flame travel by RNLI Lifeboat and visit the summit of Snowdon, where it was carried by mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
