Exeter's Olympic Torch Route Is Out

The London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will be in Exeter on Sunday 20th May. The city is one of 66 Evening Community Celebration sites across the UK to receive the Olympic Flame.

The Olympic Torch arrives at Exeter’s Cathedral Green on the evening of the 20th May and the city is gearing up for a massive day and night of family-led celebrations.

Within Exeter, the route sees regional Torchbearers carry the Olympic Torch along Bridge Road, turning left at the Countesswear Roundabout, onto Topsham Road, before proceeding to Southernhay and then onto the Cathedral Green.

On Monday morning it's an early start. At 7.25am the Torch Relay starts on the Quayside, then crosses the river on to Haven Banks, moves on to Alphington Road before leaving Exeter on its way to Okehampton.

Visitors and residents of Exeter are invited to line the streets to celebrate the countdown to the Olympic Games and the inspirational individuals who will carry the Olympic Flame.

In addition to the Evening Community Celebration produced by the London 2012 Organising Committee on the Cathedral Green, which is a free, but ticketed event for 8,000, taking place between 5.30 - 7pm on the 20th May: Exeter City Council is planning a packed daytime programme of celebratory activities.

This programme of free family fun sees cultural and sporting events held across the city, covering the Quayside, Princesshay and Southernhay, right across to the Exeter City Football ground. Highpoints provide the chance to try canoeing, football shoot-outs with Exeter City players, mountain biking, road running, parkour and dance, parade workshops as well as street theatre, an under 5's zone, music, an inspirational Cultural Olympiad-themed street parade and much more.

Exeter's spectacular activity programme culminates in the Olympic Flame arriving in the city as part of the London 2012 Evening Community Celebration on the Cathedral Green.

The streets along the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, can also be viewed in full at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay, which provides street-by-street details and proposed start times for when the Olympic Flame will travel through Exeter.

Residents living in and around Devon can find out when it will be travelling along their nearest high street, through their town square or past their local village shop.

The Torchbearers confirmed to carry the Flame in Exeter include those that were successful through the public nomination processes run by LOCOG and the Presenting Partners, Coca Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. LOCOG has endeavoured to slot all community Torchbearers within an hour of their nomination address so family and friends can cheer them on. Each Torchbearer will wear a white and gold uniform which been designed by adidas.

Exeter City Councillor, Rosie Denham, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism said: We're thrilled to welcome the Olympic Flame to Exeter. Residents, visitors and members of the surrounding communities will be able to celebrate the Olympic Flame and witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay.'

'It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will unite visitors and residents in a spectacular day to celebrate all that's best about Exeter and the spirit of London 2012. This is Exeter’s chance to shine. The Council is working closely with the City’s sports, arts and cultural organisations to attract audiences of 30,000 to the city, which in turn boosts the city’s economy and helps everyone celebrate this magnificent event.'

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG added: ‘Today we bring the Olympic Torch Relay to life. The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets. Now the people know the route the Olympic Flame will be carried along and the Torchbearers for their community, they can start planning how they might  celebrate and make it Exeter's moment to shine.’