Parade For Olympians And Paralympians

28 August 2012, 11:33 | Updated: 28 August 2012, 11:45

Up to 800 athletes will travel through London on Monday, September 10, to celebrate the achievements of our Olympians and Paralympians.

21 floats will carry the athletes along the route, from Mansion House to Buckingham Palace, with medal winners spread out along the parade.

The event is called Our Greatest Team Parade and is organised by the London Mayor, the British Olympic Association and the British Paralympic Association.

More than a million people are expected to turn out to see the parade, which will pass London landmarks like St Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square.

The final stretch up The Mall to Buckingham Palace is the only ticketed section, with spaces reserved for Olympic organisers, support teams for the athletes, volunteers, emergency services, the military and a selection of children from London schools.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "In the ancient world, crowds would line the streets to welcome their triumphant Olympians home, where they would be ecstatically venerated and their victories chronicled for the ages."

Some will be disappointed that the event is being held on a Monday, but organisers say it is to make sure the athletes are still in town after the Paralympic Games ends.

Employers are being encouraged to be lenient and allow people time off work if possible.