The Olympic Torch to Shine A Light on Scotland
The arrival of the 2012 Olympic Torch in Scotland will give Scots the chance to be part of sporting history as they play their part in the world’s biggest sporting event. The Olympics 2012 is also an important milestone on the journey to the Commonwealth games which will be held in Scotland in 2014. Other key events on the way to 2014 are International Children’s Games in Lanarkshire in 2011 and the Ryder Cup in Gleneagles in 2014. As the iconic Olympic flame passes through Scotland cities and Islands it will be an opportunity to hear the inspirational stories of those who have been nominated by their communities to carry the torch. Sebastian Coe, chair of the Olympic Committee said ‘The Olympic Flame will shine a light right across Scotland… I hope people across Scotland start to think about rewarding someone truly inspirational and give someone they know who has gone beyond their personal best their moment to shine.’ A total of 8,000 people across the UK will have the honour of carrying the torch, 8,000 is also the number of miles that the torch will travel over its journey. The Scottish leg of the torch relay is being coordinated by the Scottish government, Creative Scotland and local authorities in Scotland. As the torch makes its way across Scotland all manner of events are being planned as part of the celebrations, these events will be a chance to highlight the cultural richness of Scotland’s diverse communities, the stunning natural landscape and amazing architecture.
The 2012 Olympic torch relay will start at Lands End and make its way to its final destination the Olympic Stadium in London in a journey will take seventy days. Eight locations in Scotland have been confirmed as part of the official route Glasgow – 8 June Inverness – 9 June Orkney – 10 June Shetland – 10 June Isle of Lewis – 11 June Aberdeen – 11 June Dundee – 12 June Edinburgh – 13 June Further locations will be announced later this year. It is hoped that the Olympics will leave a lasting legacy in Scotland in four areas, encouraging increased physical activity, developing learning and cultural areas of Scottish life with a focus on international links, sustainability including environmental and regeneration and finally a focus on business, employment and tourism. To date an Olympic tartan has yet to be designed to mark the occasion. Previous Olympics have had their own tartan such as the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976, are there is still time for a new tartan to emerge before the games begin. Indeed some of the London 2012 pin badges feature tartan including a tartan sporran badge and tartan Wellington boot badge.