Olympic Flame comes to borough
Tuesday November 8, 2011
The Olympic Flame will blaze a trail through Hammersmith & Fulham as the borough gears up for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
On Thursday, July 26, H&F residents will be able to join in the excitement of the arrival of the torch and look forward to what promises to be a memorable two weeks of sport.
The Games start one day later, with the borough playing host to Olympic volleyball at Earls Court. The cycling road race will also pass through Hammersmith & Fulham on the weekend of July 28.
Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will catapult the capital into the centre of the sporting universe with billions of people from across the globe tuning in to watch the action. Here in Hammersmith & Fulham, we are proud to be a host venue and are looking forward immensely to the Torch passing through on July 26. The exact route will be announced closer to the time and we look forward to residents lining the streets and being a part of the action.”
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: ‘We are thrilled to confirm that Hammersmith & Fulham will act as a host location for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people across the borough to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK. This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Hammersmith & Fulham to start planning how they can be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational Torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to the start of the Olympic Games.”
In the build up to the start of the event, the Olympic Flame will make its journey from Greece and arrive in the UK on 18 May 2012, ready for the Olympic Torch Relay to begin the following day.
Representing peace, unity and friendship, the Flame will start its 70-day journey around the UK towards the Stadium carried by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers.
The men's cycling race will take place on the Saturday 28 July, and last for approximately six hours, with 145 riders competing over the 155 mile course. The women will compete on Sunday 29 July, with 67 riders racing 87 miles over three and a half hours.
Both events will start on the Mall in central London and travel through Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea, before the competitors ride down Fulham Road and Fulham High Street and cross over Putney Bridge. The cyclists will then tour Wandsworth, Richmond upon Thames, and Kingston upon Thames – before heading into Surrey and then returning to central London, via Fulham, for the finish.
The races are likely to bring huge traffic disruption to the borough and the council will be working with Olympic organisers to ensure that all residents are prepared for the weekend.
For more information on the Olympics in Hammersmith & Fulham visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/london2012. For details on the road race visit the London 2012 website (opens new window).
