Olympic torch route revealed for first time

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The iconic Olympic flame will pass through 154 cities, towns and villages across the South West on its epic journey to light the London 2012 Olympic Games, it was revealed today.

Organisers of the mammoth sporting spectacle have unveiled the route torchbearers taking part in the Olympic Torch Relay will follow beginning at Land’s End on May 19 next year.

Thousands of people are expected to turn out to watch the historic event as the famous Olympic emblem passes hand to hand through Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and beyond.

Torchbearers who were picked locally will carry the flame through communities including Newquay and Liskeard in Cornwall, Plymouth and Totnes in Devon and Minehead and Taunton in Somerset.

By July 27 it will have arrived at London’s Olympic Stadium for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony, signifying the official start of the games.

Stunning landscapes and landmarks across the Westcountry will be broadcast to millions of television viewers around the world as the flame passes by spots such as St Michael’s Mount, Penzance.

The committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games planned the route to include every county in the South West.

The torch will also be carried for sections of the journey on different modes of transport including the Rainforest Balloon as it ascends at The Eden Project, near St Austell, Cornwall.

On its 8,000 miles around the UK the flame will pass through 1,018 cities, towns and villages.

Lord Coe, committee chairman, said: “I’m delighted that the Olympic Torch Relay will take the 2012 Games to almost every corner of the South West and that we have achieved our ambition to take the flame to within an hour’s journey of 95 per cent of the population.

“Now everyone is invited to plan their welcome and find out where they can go to be part of this historic occasion.

“The Olympic Games are coming to you as the Olympic flame gives people across the South West their moment to shine.”

David Fursdon, chairman of the South West England Board for the Games which heads the regional partnership Team South West, said: “We’re pleased that Olympic flame will pass through all the counties in South West England, the route should mean that the maximum number of people will be able to reach a vantage point without travelling for too long.

“The torch relay will be a unique opportunity for people across the region to experience their own Olympic moment and to be part of the excitement and enthusiasm as they see the Olympic flame pass through their counties, towns and villages.”

Street by street details of where the flame will pass will be released next years.

Saturday May 19 Land’s End, Sennen, Newlyn, Penzance, Marazion, Rosudgeon, Ashton, Breage, Helston, Falmouth, Truro, Newquay, St Stephen,

St Austell, Stenalees, Bugle, Lanivet, Bodmin, Liskeard, Saltash, Plymouth.

Sunday May 20 Plymouth, Brixton, Yealmpton, Modbury, Kingsbridge, West Charleton, Chillington, Torcross, Stoke Fleming, Dartmouth, Totnes, Paignton, Torquay, Teignmouth, Exeter.

Monday May 21 Exeter, Okehampton, Folly Gate, Hatherleigh, Merton, Great Torrington, Bideford, Sticklepath, Barnstaple, Wrafton, Braunton, Knowle, Ilfracombe, Combe Martin, Lynton, Lynmouth,Porlock, Minehead, Dunster, Carhampton, Washford, Williton, Taunton.

more info here > http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Olympic-torch-route-revealed-time/story-13778744-detail/story.html