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Olympic torch will be in Nottingham next June

The flame will spend the night in the city on June 28 next year, and plans are already under way for Olympic celebrations.

The city is one of 66 places across the country to host a leg of the torch relay, which will begin at Land's End on May 19 and arrive in Westminster on the eve of the opening ceremony on July 26.

The news has been welcomed by the city's sporting stars.

Jayne Torvill said: "I think it's absolutely fantastic that Nottingham has been chosen to host the Olympic flame- I think it's a great accolade for the city.

"Our own Olympic journey started off in Nottingham many years ago and the city holds so many memories for us."

Christopher Dean said: "I'm really excited the torch will be passing through Nottingham â€' hopefully, lots of people will get to see it and will feel part of the Olympic celebrations."

Canoeist Tim Brabants, who won a gold medal at the Beijing games in 2008, said that he was glad to see the torch relay visit Nottingham.

He said: "The lighting of the flame is the biggest event for athletes at the opening ceremony and it will be great to know that flame has passed through Nottingham."

Mr Brabants, who studied at the University of Nottingham, added that the torch relay will be a great way of encouraging young people to take up sport.

He said: "It's one of those things that could plant a seed and inspire them to bigger things in the future."

Ken Pollard, business development manager of Sport Notts, said: "Events like these really do grasp people's imagination and will encourage people of all ages to get involved with the games."

The city council's portfolio holder for leisure and culture David Trimble said: "It's a great honour for Nottingham to host an official Olympic celebration as part of the Olympic Torch relay event.

"We're very much looking forward to marking the Olympic year with not only this event, but a whole range of sporting and cultural events that will appeal to everyone."

Councillor Kay Cutts, leader of Notts County Council, said: "The torch is the moment where the Olympics comes to the forefront of everyone's minds and it's an especially important day for the Nottinghamshire's Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls who are training so hard."

The countdown to the games begins in earnest in July, when the city council stages an Olympic event. from July 22 to 24, will include special walks in which walkers will aim to walk the equivalent distance of Nottingham to the Olympic Stadium.

Neither the city council nor Olympic organisers LOCOG could confirm where the torch will be stored overnight.

Source:www.thisisnottingham.co.uk|

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