May 18, 2011 7.48 am This story is over 153 months old

Olympic Flame to visit Lincoln

Olympic honourLincoln will take part in the 2012 Olympics celebrations by hosting the Olympic Flame for one day.

Children from Lincoln Castle Academy with former British and Commonwealth Shot-put champion Geoff Capes (centre) and City of Lincoln Council incoming Leader Ric Metcalfe (back) at the Lincoln Sports Hub

Lincoln will take part in the 2012 Olympics celebrations by hosting the Olympic Flame for one day on its epic journey across the UK.

Set to arrive in Lincoln on June 27 2012, the flame will be carried around the city exactly one month ahead of the opening ceremony in London.

The torch relay will culminate in an evening celebration which it is hoped will attract around 5,000 local residents.

The Olympic Flame will stay in Lincoln overnight before it leaves the city early on June 28 to continue its journey.

The location of Lincoln’s free celebration event will be announced later in the summer.

Lincoln is one of 66 evening celebration locations across the UK confirmed today by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Game (LOCOG).

The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK from Greece on May 18 2012 and the 70 day torch relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of May 19 2012.

On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame is expected to travel 8,000 miles across the UK, before finally arriving at the Olympic Stadium on July 27 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “We are thrilled that the City of Lincoln Council has agreed to host the Olympic Flame on its journey right across the UK.

“The Olympic Flame will shine a light right across Lincoln, celebrating the culture and heritage of the area and showcasing the very best of the city.

“We have no doubt that the welcome the City of Lincoln Council will provide will demonstrate how the spirit of the Olympic Games is reaching out across the UK and excitement builds as the start of the 2012 Games draws closer.”

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, incoming Leader of the City of Lincoln Council said: “Playing host to the Olympic Flame is surely one of the greatest sporting honours a city can have.

“I’m sure seeing the Flame pass through the city will resonate with local people and will inspire many of them to take up sport and get involved in activities they may never have tried before.

“We will be working hard to ensure the evening celebration brings out all that is great about this city and we want there to a real focus on the young people of Lincoln who will have the opportunity to be part of the legacy of the 2012 Olympics forever.”

Photo: Kelly Moore for The Lincolnite