11 times Paralympic Champion enjoys first visit to Aquatics Centre. 15 September 2011

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today announced plans for the Paralympic Torch Relay to lead the UK into the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on the evening of Wednesday 29 August 2012.

David Roberts, 11 times Paralympic Champion attended the launch and had his first experience of stepping inside the Aquatics Centre on the Olympic Park.

Presented by BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay will showcase the very best of teamwork by shining a light on those who have worked together to reach a collective goal and the amazing feats that have been achieved as a result of individuals combining their skills and abilities.

David said he was overwhelmed to be at the Aquatics Centre, where he hopes to compete in the 50, 100 and 400m freestyle. On the torch relay, he said: “I think it’s a fantastic idea, the Olympic flame and torch are something everyone knows and everybody wants to take part in. To have the Paralympic version is fantastic.

“To go to the four corners of the UK and to have four flames coming together in the birthplace of the Paralympics is so special. My first Paralympic Games in Sydney were incredible. Now some Paralympic athletes are household names. It makes me so proud to be a British athlete. The Paralympics are coming home!”

Building on the traditional Torch Relay format, the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay programme will begin on Friday 24 August 2012 with the first flame lighting event to be held in London. Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Greater Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff will each host a flame lighting moment and an evening Paralympic Flame Festival.
Each of the four flames will be lit by the energy of physical human endeavour, with each place creating its unique method of lighting.  The flame lighting method for each nation will be announced closer to the time of the Paralympic Torch Relay next year.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “Day after day our Paralympians show the energy of human endeavour both on and off the sporting field of play. By lighting the flame which heralds the start of their competition through the energy of human endeavour, the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay is a tribute to their inspirational stories of courage and determination and a celebration of teamwork right across the UK.”

Once a flame has been lit, it will visit local community groups and key locations in and around the city.  In each nation, there will be a Paralympic Flame Festival, the last of which takes place in Stoke Mandeville, home of the Paralympic Movement where a special ceremony will be held to bring together all four flames to create the Paralympic Flame.
The four flames will be combined at the special ceremony at Stoke Mandeville on Tuesday 28 August to create the London 2012 Paralympic Flame.  Later that evening, there will be a 24 hour Torch Relay from Stoke Mandeville to journey the Paralympic Flame to London for the opening of the Paralympic Games.