St Albans mayor welcomes chance for city to shine in Olympic history

ST ALBANS will be one of over 1,000 villages, towns and cities to host the Olympic flame on July 8, 2012,it was announced today.

Lord Sebastian Coe, chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said he was thrilled to confirm the torch is to be carried through the district.

Torchbearers from St Albans, whose names will be confirmed from February next year, are to join the London 2012 Olympic torch relay. Details of the local route have not yet been released.

The 70-day relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall, on the morning of May 19 2012 and travel about 8,000 miles around the UK, with the torch to travel down the River Thames as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium on July 27 for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony.

The Olympic flame will be carried by 8,000 torchbearers, each of whom will have a story of personal achievement or contribution to the local community.

Lord Coe said: “We are thrilled to confirm that St Albans will act as a host location for the Olympic flame, extending an invitation to people in St Albans city and district to welcome the Olympic torch relay.”

The announcement was welcomed by St Albans district council executive leader, Cllr Julian Daly, and St Albans mayor, Cllr Aislinn Lee.

She said: “I’m very excited; we are going to take part in a piece of history.”