Submitted on
Tuesday 13 December 2011
by
Elaine Browne
BT, the official communications services partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is giving people the chance to carry the Paralympic Flame on the eve of the London 2012 Paralympic Games next August.
BT is looking for the most inspirational teams to carry the Paralympic Flame during the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay. The relay will begin at Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual home of the Paralympic movement, on Tuesday 28 August 2012. Then over 24-hours, Torchbearers will carry the Paralympic Flame to the Olympic Stadium to light the cauldron and officially open the London 2012 Paralympic Games on 29 August.
Each team of five will work together to take the flame approximately 750 metres on its journey from Stoke Mandeville to the Olympic Stadium in London. Successful nominees may have adopted the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality to make a difference; pushed the boundaries of what is achievable; or helped others to accomplish whatever they put their mind to. You can nominate your own team of five or a team you know by visiting www.bt.com/London2012 or calling 08000 23 23 99. Nominators and Torchbearers must be at least 12 years old and nominations must be submitted by midnight on the 20th January. More details and terms and conditions can be found on the website.
BT Ambassador and Paralympic gold medallist, Liz Johnson said: “Although swimming isn't a team sport, I rely on a dedicated team of coaches, physios and nutritionists to help me be the best. It's fantastic that BT is giving inspirational teams the opportunity to be Torchbearers - this really is a once in a lifetime opportunity so I urge people to get nominating!"
Chris Holmes, Director of Paralympic Integration, LOCOG said: “The fantastic thing about the Paralympic Torch Relay is that it celebrates the power of human endeavour and energy in the run up to the Paralympic Games. It's great that BT, with its long history of supporting Paralympic sport, is helping people to get involved."
Suzi Williams, Director, BT Group Marketing and Brand, added: “At BT we’ve supported the Paralympics for decades. We understand the awesome power of Paralympic sport to inspire all of us, and that’s why we want to bring teams of amazing people together to run with the Flame next summer. If you know a team that can inspire others, this is their moment to be at the heart of a once in a lifetime experience. Please get in touch”.
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, the greater Belfast area, Edinburgh and Cardiff will each host a flame lighting moment and an evening Paralympic Flame Festival. A special ceremony will be held at the last Flame Festival in Stoke Mandeville, home of the Paralympic Movement, during which all four flames will be brought together to create the Paralympic Flame .
BT is a Presenting Partner of the Paralympic Torch Relay.
The Paralympic Flame arrives in London on Friday 24 August 2012. The UK’s other three capital cities - Greater Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh - will then light a flame at special Flame Lighting events. In addition to the lighting events there will be a series of evening celebrations in each city called Flame Festivals.
BT has a long history of supporting Paralympic sport in the UK and was the first official partner of the British Paralympic Association when it was founded in 1989. BT recently committed to supporting ParalympicsGB all the way to the Rio Games in 2016.