Edinburgh is planning to host an "unforgettable" Evening Celebration with live music and entertainment for the arrival of the London 2012 Torch Relay to the Scottish capital next Summer.
Edinburgh is one of 66 Evening Celebration locations/6 Island Visits across the UK confirmed today by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
As part of the evening events on 13 June 2012, LOCOG and the Presenting Partners, Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung will stage entertainment shows where a cauldron will be lit from the Olympic Flame, marking the end of the day’s proceedings.
Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion for the City of Edinburgh Council, said the Evening Celebration event will showcase "the best that Edinburgh has to offer, not just that evening but all year round."
Cardownie added: "It's fantastic that the Olympics - the world's greatest sporting event - and the Edinburgh Festivals - the world's greatest cultural event - are taking place at the same time. This affords a once in a lifetime chance to promote Edinburgh and Scotland as the cultural destination of choice in 2012."
Councillor Deidre Brock, Culture and Leisure Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, added that the Olympic Flame visit to Edinburgh is "an unmissable opportunity for the city".
"The event will give a tremendous boost to our bid to inspire people of all ages across the city to enjoy taking part in sport and keeping physically active. Plans are already under way to make sure the Olympic Flame gets an unforgettable welcome in Scotland's Capital."
The Edinburgh Festivals are working together collaboratively on a programme linked to the London Olympics in 2012 and Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014. A highlight is the Speed of Light installation taking place during the 2012 Edinburgh International Festival on Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: "We are thrilled that The City of Edinburgh Council has agreed to host the Olympic Flame on its journey right across the UK. The Olympic Flame will shine a light right across Scotland's Capital, celebrating the culture and heritage of the area and showcasing the very best of the city. We have no doubt that the welcome Edinburgh 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."
8000 torch-bearers en route to London
The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK from Greece on Friday 18 May 2012 and the 70 day Torch Relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of the 19 May 2012.
On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame is expected to travel an estimated 8,000 miles across towns and communities in the UK.
The Olympic Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 Torchbearers with 95% of the population expected to be within a one hour journey time of the torch relay.
Nominations sought for torchbearers
The LOCOG Torchbearer programme to find 2,012 "inspirational people who have gone beyond their personal best" runs for six weeks from today until 11.59pm on Wednesday 29 June 2011. The Torchbearer portal asks for an explanation in 150 words as to why a nominee should be selected. Judging panels will be set up in each Nation and Region of the UK to select the Torchbearers for their area.
90% of the 8,000 Torchbearer places will be made available to the public through a number of channels including the four public nomination campaigns to be run by LOCOG, Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. Each of the 8,000 Torchbearers will have a story of achievement and or contribution to their local community.
In addition to the locations confirmed on the route of the Olympic Flame today, many other cities, towns, villages, beauty spots, sports venues, and community hubs will be announced in a second, more detailed route announcement later this year.