Bob Wilcock

As Torch Bearer goes to press full details of the London stage of the Athens Torch Relay have not been released, but at a press conference on 5 May, presided over by Ken Livingstone of the Greater London Authority and Simon Clegg of the BOA the names of the 140 Torchbearers were released and a little more detail of the run itself.

The Torchbearers are a mix of ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people of all ages and from all over the country, together with well-known sportspeople and Olympians. The ‘extraordinary ordinary’ are unsung heroes, people who have triumphed over adversity, people who have made major contributions to sport and community life, people we can be proud of to represent London and Britain and who truly embody the Olympic ideals.

As well as Kriss Akabusi and Frank Bruno who were at the press conference, the famous Torchbearers include Sir Roger Bannister (whose 4-minute mile was marked by a handstamp on 6 May), Chris Boardman, Jonathan Edwards, Sally Gunnell, Tim Henman (will he be the first Torchbearer, at Wimbledon?), Colin Jackson, Mary Peters, Matthew Pinsent, Steve Redgrave, and the Men’s Rowing Eight from Sydney.

From Wimbledon (Olympic venue in 1908) the Relay will follow a 48km route through 11 London boroughs, with numerous events en route especially at Brixton, Greenwich and Island Gardens on the Isle of Dogs. The day’s events will finish with a concert in the Mall in the early evening, with the traditional lighting of the Olympic cauldron providing a memorable climax.

We shall try to post more details as they emerge, on the SOC web-site www.societyofolympiccollectors.org. You will also find details on the BOA site at www.olympics.org.uk and at www.london.gov.uk/torchrelay/welcome_olympic_flame.jsp the GLA site. So come to London for a great Olympic day – and there is Thematica at the Carisbrooke Hall, Marble Arch. Committee are planning a souvenir – full details in the next Torch Bearer.

For information on the Torch Relay world-wide there are links on the above sites or visit www.athens2004.com . The Editor will welcome reports from members of Torch Relay celebrations in other countries.