Olympic torch coming to Gloucestershire

7th November 2011, 00:01

Comments

We now know which communities in Gloucestershire are going to be on the Olympic torch relay route when it comes to the county next year.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) named Gloucestershire as one of the host counties for the relay earlier this year.

The flame will come to Gloucestershire from Swindon in the afternoon of 23rd May 2012, starting in Cirencester before heading to Stroud, Painswick, Brockworth and Shurdington before reaching Cheltenham Racecourse in the evening.  

On May 24th May the torch relay will leave Gloucester and head through Maisemore, Hartpury and Staunton before moving into Herefordshire.

On 1st July, the relay will come back through Chipping Campden, the site of the first Cotswold Olimpiks which will be celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2012.

Cllr Antonia Noble, Gloucestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member leading on the Olympics, said: “Gloucestershire gets two bites of the cherry as the torch is coming to us in May and back again briefly in July to celebrate the Cotswold Olimpiks. We want all local communities to get involved as it’s an opportunity to showcase what the county has to offer. Sport is extremely important in Gloucestershire; especially our children and young people and we are delighted to be part of such a huge worldwide event.”

It has also been announced that a celebration event will be held at Cheltenham Racecourse, where people from over the county are invited to watch a two hour free stage show featuring an exciting mix of music, dance and digital media. 

They will also witness the arrival of the Olympic Flame onto the stage and the symbolic lighting of the Olympic cauldron.

Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “We are delighted the Racecourse has been chosen as the venue of the Evening Celebration for the Olympic Torch Relay in Gloucestershire. This is a once in a generation opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate in appropriate style. We shall be working closely with the Olympic Torch Taskforce and the local community to produce an evening that not only showcases the Olympic Torch, but also gives a taste of the true spirit of this great county."

More information on the torch relay will be released next year.