The Olympic Torch Relay in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
The Ancient Games
The Torch and Relay were important elements of the cultural festivals surrounding the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece.
During the Games, a sacred flame burned continually on the altar of the goddess, Hera. In addition, heralds were summoned to travel throughout Greece to announce the Games, declaring a sacred truce for the duration.
The Olympic Torch Relay
Lit in Greece, the Olympic Flame arrived in the UK on 18 May 2012 before setting out the next day on a 70-day Olympic Torch Relay, bringing the excitement of the Games to everyone.
The Olympic Flame stands for peace, unity and friendship. It will be carried by 8,000 truly inspirational Torchbearers.
Where is the Olympic Flame going?
The Olympic Flame will travel to within an hour of 95 per cent of people in the UK, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey during the 70-day Torch Relay. It will enable local communities to shine a light on the best their area has to offer.
The towns and cities hosting evening celebrations, the island visits, and all of the communities on route are displayed on the Olympic Torch Relay map
Lighting the Flame
A very precise ritual for the lighting of the Flame is followed at every Games. It is lit from the sun's rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, in a traditional ceremony among the ruins of the home of the Ancient Games.
After a short relay around Greece, the Flame is handed over to the new Host City at another ceremony in the Panathenaiko stadium in Athens.
The Flame is then delivered to the Host Country, where it is transferred from one Torchbearer to another, spreading the message of peace, unity and friendship.
It ends its journey as the last Torchbearer lights the Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony in the Olympic Stadium, marking the official start of the Games. The Flame then stays lit until it is put outat the Closing Ceremony, signifying the end of the Games.
Resource: http://www.london2012.com
The Olympic Torch Relay in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
We would like to congratulate all the Kingston residents who were selected to carry the Olympic Torch during its journey across the UK.
Carrying the Torch is a unique experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity. This will be a fantastic event and one we feel you should be proud to be involved with.
We look forward to cheering on all Torch Bearers along the Torch route on Tuesday, 24th July 2012 .
As part of their Legacy Project, the local council will be collecting information from people, including torch bearers, about their involvement and experiences during The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games period. Further information will be available on the RBK website.
Good luck and have fun!
The Torch will arrive at the Hook Centre in Chessington at 8:22am on 24 July 2012.
There will be a celebration event starting at approximately 7:45am and everyone is welcome. The torch will then be carried aloft through the borough by more than 20 Torchbearers and a large convoy of supporting vehicles before moving on to Richmond at about 9:45am at Ham Cross junction in North Kingston.
The Olympic Torch arrived in the UK on Friday 18 May and will travel around the UK for its 70 day journey with at least 8,000 torch bearers running through major cities and towns. Each torch bearer will carry the torch for 300 metres and the route will take in National Heritage sites, locations and venues with a sporting significance, schools and school sports days, festivals and events, and green spaces.
Kingston will twice bask in the glow of the Olympic Flame in the final days before the London 2012 Games open. If you miss the Olympic Torch Relay through Kingston on 24 July then you could always get to the River Thames on the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay (Day 70) on 27 July. It will start at Hampton Court and make its way down river past Kingston to the London 2012 stadium. The timing for this has not yet been confirmed.
Resource: www.kingston.gov.uk
