The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) have announced the first 332 people chosen to light the way to the games by carrying the Paralympic Flame in the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.
Teams and individuals from across the UK were selected as Torchbearers because they demonstrated the Paralympic values of courage, determination, equality and inspiration. Most were successful through the public nomination campaigns run by BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s, as well as those chosen by the British Paralympic Association.
Seb Coe, Chairman of LOCOG, said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate someone in one of the three campaigns.’’
Mr Coe added: ‘‘For the first time we get to hear some of the inspirational stories of the teams and individuals that have been selected to carry the Paralympic Flame. They have all demonstrated how they are living the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.”
Last week, three of the teams had a taste of their forthcoming experience as Torchbearers in Trafalgar Square, where the English Flame will be lit on Friday 24th August at the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay celebrations.
The inspirational people involved in the event included: a coaching team from Hackney for aspiring disabled children; a UK team working in disability arts; and a team of parents and children connected with Stepping Stones Down Syndrome Support Group in Surrey.
The Torchbearers got to hold the Paralympic Torch for the first time and wear the uniform, which was designed by LOCOG in association with London 2012’s official sportswear provider, Adidas.
More Torchbearers and their stories will be announced in the coming weeks.
To view a list of all the Torchbearers announced so far and read their inspiring stories go to http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/torch-relay/torchbearers/
Written by Catherine Ridge