Paralympic relay to spread flames across the UK
Four flames are set to be lit on the peaks of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland...
17:08 21 August 2012
Four flames are set to be lit on the peaks of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland this week ahead of the Paralympic torch relay.
It is believed that scouts will light the flames on Wednesday at Scafell Pike, England, Ben Nevis, Scotland, Snowdon, Wales and Slieve Donard, N.Ireland.
The flames will then visit capital cities in the UK and gather at Stoke Mandeville, before a torch relay commences which will last for 24 hours.
The Paralympic relay starts on Thursday 28th August at 8 o’clock, which will include a visit to the popular Tower Bridge, and will see a cauldron being lit at the end to open the games on 29th August.
A detailed outline of the relay route has been put together by Locog, the organisers of London 2012.
A distance of over 90 miles will see 580 torchbearers aiding the journey from Stoke Mandeville Stadium to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
Among the places the torch will visit are London Zoo, the famous Abbey Road crossing in Maida Vale and Lord’s Cricket ground, where it is suspected some members of the UK blind women’s cricket team will partake in the event.
“We have created a unique identity for the Paralympic Torch Relay which will be a celebration of courage, determination, inspiration and equality that every Paralympian represents,” said London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe, as quoted by The Telegraph.
"By creating the four flames through human endeavour at the four highest peaks in the UK we will ensure that the spirit of each home nation is represented in the Paralympic Flame."
Lord Coe encouraged support for the Paralympics relay with the idea that lanterns be taken to line the route.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson told the BBC: "The Paralympic torch relay is the perfect moment to get your flags back out and get behind the incredible athletes taking part as the excitement builds once again right across the capital."
Flame festivals are set to be held in London Friday 24th August, on consecutive days after this for Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, prior to the creation of the Paralympic flames at Stoke Mandeville.