The Olympic logo at St Pancras station. Pic: John Dickins, Flickr
The Olympic Flame routes and torchbearers for the EastLondonLines boroughs have been announced.
The torch will start its journey on May 19 and will be carried through Hackney and Tower Hamlets on July 21, and then through Croydon and Lewisham on July 23. Each torchbearer will wear a white-and-gold uniform designed by Adidas.
The first torchbearer for the Croydon leg of the relay is Jonathan Dean, a community fundraiser and foster parent. Nominated by his daughter, he said he was “surprised” and “delighted” to receive the invitation to carry the torch.
Ten runners will carry the flame through Croydon, and thousands of people are expected to turn out on the day to cheer them along.
Upper Norwood, Thornton Heath and North End will be the best places to see the Olympic Flame as it travels through Croydon.
Sara Bashford, Croydon Councillor for culture and sport, said: “The torch runs through many of our most densely populated areas. I hope that means that thousands of people will come out of their homes on the day to cheer on the runners.”
She added: “This is a unique spectacle and something that we can all truly be proud of being part of.”
The torch will enter Hackney at Shoreditch High Street on July 21, and will travel north along the A10 to Clissold Park. This will coincide with The One Hackney Festival 2012, where a carnival will parade along the torch route ending with an event at Clissold Park in Stoke Newington.
Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney said: “Hackney is ready for a day of celebration and entertainment that will make the very most of the procession of the Olympic Torch through the borough. We want residents to come out in force along the route to cheer torchbearers as the flame gets ever closer towards the Olympic Stadium.”
In Tower Hamlets, Kristin Hallenga, 26, will carry the torch. She was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 23 and subsequently set up her own charity ‘Coppa Feel’ to encourage young people to regularly check themselves.
Hallenga told EastLondonLines: “I feel honoured to be carrying the torch and kick starting the buzz that will envelop London throughout the Games. I was in Beijing for the last Olympics so I know how exciting it can be.”
She will carry the torch with a “massive grin” on behalf of everyone that supported her through cancer.
Rachael Saunders, Mile End East Ward Councillor, said: “I am glad that people from my ward and from across Tower Hamlets, will have the opportunity to line the streets and welcome the Olympic Flame to the east end of London.”
Marcel Jenkins, 39, a community volunteer, will carry the flame through Lewisham. Jenkins volunteers in a local park to help maintain the children’s playground, as well as tree planting, and increase the use and enjoyment of the area.
Around 115 torchbearers will carry the flame on each day of the 8000-mile journey.
The flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, where the cauldron will be lit during the Opening Ceremony to mark the official start of the London Olympics.
To view the full route of the flame, visit: www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay.
