Yesterday, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) held a full dress rehearsal to test the operations around the Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. The rehearsal took place on the Leicester to Peterborough stretch of the Relay route and it marked the culmination of the Olympic Torch Relay test schedule. Previous tests conducted focused on torch performance, hotel operations, desk top exercises and testing the vehicle convoy. There were 122 students and participants acting as Torchbearers. More an operational rather than a spectator event, the rehearsal ended witn no evening celebration and the torches were not lit. The exercise is also an opportunity for host communities to experience how the Relays looks and operates in advance of the Olympic Torch Relay start at Land’s End on May 19, 2012.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: “The dress rehearsal is a great opportunity to test all parts of the Olympic Torch Relay. I would like to thank the host Local Authorities and Police Forces for working with us on this rehearsal. Tests are essential to ensure the smooth running of our operations around the Torch Relay. When all the final elements are added for the Relay itself the excitement will really build for the start of the London 2012 Games and the UK will get its moment to shine.”
The Olympic Torch Relay will commence at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of May 19, 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel about 8,000 miles around the UK. Thousand of communities will get a chance to strut their stuff as the Olympic Flame comes to a place close to them. The Relay will take the Olympic Flame to within ten miles of 95% of the population and will showcase as much of the country as possible. The route for the rehearsal and for all 70 days of the Olympic Torch relay were mapped out after careful study as well as intensive consultation with representatives in each nation and region.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: “The dress rehearsal is a great opportunity to test all parts of the Olympic Torch Relay. I would like to thank the host Local Authorities and Police Forces for working with us on this rehearsal. Tests are essential to ensure the smooth running of our operations around the Torch Relay. When all the final elements are added for the Relay itself the excitement will really build for the start of the London 2012 Games and the UK will get its moment to shine.”
The Olympic Torch Relay will commence at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of May 19, 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel about 8,000 miles around the UK. Thousand of communities will get a chance to strut their stuff as the Olympic Flame comes to a place close to them. The Relay will take the Olympic Flame to within ten miles of 95% of the population and will showcase as much of the country as possible. The route for the rehearsal and for all 70 days of the Olympic Torch relay were mapped out after careful study as well as intensive consultation with representatives in each nation and region.
