This morning Seb Coe announced the first 74 locations for the Olympic Torch Relay.
They make a point of saying that, “Every Nation and Region of the UK represented,” but the Isle of Wight isn’t included, despite great play being made of six other UK Islands being visited.
Starting at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012, the torch will tour the UK, with six islands being visited, including the Isle of Man; Guernsey; Jersey; Shetland; Orkney and the Isle of Lewis, where the organisers say, “a community led celebration to welcome the Olympic Flame will be held and Torchbearers will run in relay.”
70 day journey
The Olympic Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 after its 70 day journey.
Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics, is quoted as saying, “The Olympic Torch Relay brings London 2012 to the doorsteps of the UK giving everybody the chance to celebrate the London Games. It’s a magnificent showcase for the country and a chance to mark the achievements of inspirational people in our communities.”
Still a chance?
It’s worth pointing out that this has been labelled the “first 74 locations.” It’s unclear if there’s still a chance to have the Isle of Wight included. VB will be contacting the organisers today to see if there’s a chance that the Island can still be included.
What the council say
We contacted the IWC for their reaction and they VB the following …
John Metcalfe, IW Council Deputy Director for Economy, Tourism and Leisure said, “The list of locations announced today are only those that will be holding celebratory evening events in support of the torch relay. The route the torch will take between these locations will be designed to ensure that as many people as possible are able to be part of the event.
“These routes are still to be announced and we are very much looking forward to hopefully being included when the detailed list is announced later this year.”
Did IWC ask?
We also asked them if the council had made representations to the Olympic organisers to request the touch to come to the Island.
The council hasn’t, as yet, answered that question. We’ve re-asked and await their reply.
UPDATE 10:06: This update just in from the council, “We are in active discussion with the organisers and very much looking forward to hopefully being part of the route when it is announced later this year.”
VB has subsequently asked when the discussion started.
UPDATE We received the paragraph below from the council on 23 May, after having to re-ask, “When did the official discussion between IWC and the torch route organisers about being part of the torch route start?”
John Metcalfe, Deputy Director for Economy, Tourism and Leisure for Isle of Wight Council said “We have been in discussions with LOCOG on a variety of issues for several years. Some discussions have been confidential at its insistence but needless to say in respect to the torch, we have been liaising with them ever since we submitted proposals to host the Olympic Torch route by the national deadline in April 2010
The official announcement
If you want to read how the London Olympics organisers announced it in their words, here’s their press release.
