POSTED: Thursday December 8th 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

London 2012 offers first Torchbearer places for the Olympic Torch Relay

The first 6,800 conditional offers of Torchbearer places for the Olympic Torch Relay made today

A further 1,200 offers to be made by the end of January 2012 to complete the 8,000 strong London 2012 Torchbearer team

High quality nominations received from right across the UK for personal achievement and/or contribution to local communities

Today the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) begins to make conditional offers to 8,000 inspiring people to carry the Olympic Flame next summer during the 70 day Olympic Torch Relay. 6,800 people are today one step closer to becoming a London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer and having their moment to shine next summer. The offers made today include the day of the Relay the Torchbearer is invited to carry the Olympic Flame.

90% of the total 8,000 Torchbearer places have been made available to people nominated for a personal best through a number of channels, including the four public nomination campaigns run by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay: Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.  The remaining 10% of places are offered by invitation.

Over 5,600 inspiring people with an offer of a place today were selected through these four nomination programmes run earlier in the year. Each of the four campaigns focused on recognising and rewarding people with a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community with the once in a lifetime opportunity of carrying the Olympic Flame.

Next steps for people with an offer of a place today include accepting the date they have been offered to take part in the Torch Relay, providing a copy of specified documents, confirming their uniform size and any access requirements by 25 January 2012. Every offer of a Torchbearer place is subject to passing the required background checks and final confirmation of becoming a Torchbearer will be communicated by LOCOG by March 2012. 

Next year's confirmation of Torchbearer places will include the name of the town, village, city, or London Borough through which the Torchbearer is invited to carry the Olympic Flame. A further communication much closer to the time of the Torch Relay will confirm the details of the exact 300m (on average) stretch of the route along which the Torchbearer will carry the Olympic Flame.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: 'Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a friend, a colleague or a family member through one of the four campaigns. Today we are one step closer to giving thousands of people their moment to shine during the Olympic Torch Relay next summer. The sum of the individual stories of our Torchbearers will show the world that the Olympic spirit is alive and well right across the UK.'

An average of 115 people a day will take centre stage next summer by carrying the Olympic Flame on its 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Among the first people to be offered a place today include;

Moira Starkey, 84 from Storridge, Herefordshire, nominated through LOCOG's public nomination campaign, who at 83 completed her first fundraising marathon by completing laps of her village hall;
Ciara Ennis, 14 from Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, nominated through LOCOG's public nomination campaign who is a tireless fundraiser for good causes in her local community;

Holly Hamill,17 from Newtonabbey, Northern Ireland, nominated through Coca-Cola's public nomination campaign who regularly represents the Gymnastics and Movement for People with a Disability British National Rhythmic Gymnastics team;

Cameron Foster, 16 from Wigan, Greater Manchester, nominated through Coca-Cola's public nomination campaign who motivated by his own skiing accident and long rehabilitation, helps less able young people to get involved in sport;

Simon Brown, 32 from Morley, West Yorkshire, nominated through Lloyds TSB's public nomination campaign who lost his sight saving lives of colleagues whilst serving in Iraq and now helps young people to come to terms with their loss of sight;

Elin Haf Davies, 35 from Gwynedd, Wales, nominated through Lloyds TSB's public nomination campaign who was the first Welsh woman to row the Atlantic Ocean, and part of the first all female crew to row across the Indian Ocean, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity;

Darwin Bernardo, 23 from North London, nominated through Samsung's public nomination campaign who works to identify opportunities for young people to engage with their local community and;

Matt Short, 20 from Tonbridge, Kent, nominated through Samsung's public nomination campaign who was diagnosed in November 2007 with a rare form of bone cancer and has since set up and runs a charity to raise money for research into the disease.

Detailed case studies of these eight individuals and a further 21 people from across the UK who have an offer of a Torchbearer place can be downloaded by clicking here. Photos of 12 case studies who attended a special event at the Tower of London can also be downloaded from there from 1pm.

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, said: 'Huge congratulations to all those with an offer of an Olympic Torchbearer place. They are an exceptional group of individuals and it's an honour for us all that these people are one step closer to carrying the Olympic Flame on its exciting journey around the UK.'

Over 60,000 nominations were received across the four nomination campaigns. Each campaign incorporated a rigorous selection process and the nominations were read and evaluated by independent selection panels. Those who have not been successful with a nomination are invited to join the journey to the London 2012 Games by becoming a Local Leader.

James Quincey, President, Coca-Cola Northwest Europe and Nordics, said: 'We have been overwhelmed by the thousands of outstanding nominations that we have received as part of our Coca-Cola Future Flames campaign this year. It's been truly inspiring to learn about the many different ways young people are spreading happiness in their local communities, and we're very excited to now be offering some of these people the once in a lifetime chance to carry the Olympic Flame next summer.'

Sally Hancock, 2012 Partnership and Group Sponsorship Director, Lloyds Banking Group, said: 'Following the success of the Lloyds TSB London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer nomination campaign, we were overwhelmed by the many thousands of inspiring stories of good deeds, selfless acts and contributions to communities across the UK and the level of excitement about the 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to become an Olympic Torchbearer. The Olympic Torch Relay provides a wonderful opportunity for communities the length and breadth of the U.K to get involved with the Games and celebrate people in their local area who have made a difference. We are inviting everyone to cheer on the Olympic Torch Relay with Lloyds TSB as it travels past their doorsteps next year.'

Mr. Gyehyun Kwon, Vice President & Head of Worldwide Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics, said: 'We believe, as a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, that it is our duty to ensure that the Olympic Flame reaches the world. Our Olympic Torch Relay campaign is designed to invite, include and involve the greatest number of people possible in the world's most exciting festival. The response to our Olympic Torchbearer nomination campaign has been astonishing and we are exceptionally proud of the tens of thousands of local heroes that we have discovered and that have now been recognised by their friends, colleagues and families. While only a few can be selected for this unique opportunity to carry the flame, we acknowledge every nominee as an inspiration to their communities. The fortunate few that will run next year are a tribute to all those who go the extra mile for others. Samsung applauds them all.'

The additional conditional offers made today are to people who also have a story of personal achievement or contribution to the local community.  135 offers have been made to local heroes put forward by the 66 Local Authorities hosting an evening celebration event or an Island visit requiring extra logistics on the Olympic Torch Relay; 70 offers go to people who assist with delivering grassroots sport in the UK who have been selected by Sport England, Sport Northern Ireland, sportscotland and Sport Wales; 205 people have an offer of a place through the BOA; 71 people through the IOC and 678 people through the other London 2012 Games commercial partners.

A further 1,200 conditional offers will be made by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners in January 2012. For example LOCOG will find 212 young people from across the UK who will be 12 at the time of the Torch Relay through Get Set Networked schools that are part of the London 2012 education programme, 30 young people through the International Inspiration Programme, 115 high profile Torchbearers and community role models. The Presenting Partners' remaining allocations make provision for direct invitations to high profile Torchbearers.

Ends.

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at http://www.london2012.com. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog http://www.london2012.com/blog or follow us on Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/london2012

Notes to editors:

Click here for details of 27 case studies from across the UK

Click here for photos 12 of the case studies at a special event held at the Tower of London. Available from 1pm.

For more information on the communities through which Torchbearers will carry the London 2012 Olympic Flame, go to http://www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay

Find out more about Local Leaders at http://www.london2012.com/localleaders

About the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners:

As the longest standing Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola will be using its heritage and experience to spread excitement across the UK ahead of London 2012. Coca-Cola's national nomination campaign - Future Flames - has focused on finding inspirational young people from across the country to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame. Next summer Coca-Cola will celebrate these Future Flames: young people who use their passions in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance, and community and the environment; to spread happiness in their local communities. Find out more at: http://www.coca-cola.co.uk/olympic-games

As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB will be taking the spirit and inspiration of the Olympic Flame right to the heart of communities across the UK.  As part of Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland will be the National Presenting Partner in Scotland.  Schools can be right at the heart of the celebrations through our Flame Followers programme, giving them access to free resources to get their pupils inspired and excited about the Olympic Torch Relay, and the chance for their school to carry the Olympic Flame, win a celebration party at their school during the Relay and win a Cheer Kit to welcome the Relay to their community (schools can register at http://www.lloydstsb.com/flamefollowers). Customers can be the first to hear how they can follow the Olympic Flame, through our customer-exclusive programme Trackside. Find out more at http://www.lloydstsb.com/london2012

As a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung is providing national and international Olympic Torchbearers through its worldwide public nomination process. These 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunities to carry the Olympic Flame on its journey around the UK, represents one of the many ways that Samsung is enabling people from all corners of the world to be part of the greatest show on Earth.  Becoming an Olympic Torchbearer thanks to Samsung means everyone can become a part of the Olympic history. From June 13th 2011, Samsung has invited the world to recognise its unsung heroes. Samsung's nomination programme for Olympic Torchbearers is a worldwide search for these unique and selfless individuals. The campaign has been communicated globally via a wide range of marketing channels to ensure that the maximum number of people become aware of the opportunity.  It is Samsung's ambition that London 2012 will be an event that reaches and involves more people than on any other Olympic Games occasion. To learn more about the Samsung nomination programme, please visit http://www.samsung.com/london2012.

The Supporters of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay are:
Worldwide Olympic Partners Procter and Gamble and Visa, Tier One Partners adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT and EDF, Tier Three Providers Aggreko, Holiday Inn and NATURE VALLEY.

London 2012 Games partners:
The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow, GE, McDonald's, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.

LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters - Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS.

There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers - Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.

There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury's and one domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Supplier, Otto Bock. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.

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Keywords · London 2012 · London 2012 Paralympic Games · Seb Coe

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Name: London 2012 Press Office
Organization: London 2012 Organizing Committee
Email:
Phone: 442032012100
URL: http://www.london2012.com

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