London torch relay live

The flame, whether in the torch or the cauldron, represents a link with the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece. During these Games, a sacred flame burned on the altar of the goddess Hera, who was queen of the gods and wife of Zeus. Nowadays, before every Olympic Games, there is a special ritual for the lighting of the flame. After a short tour around Greece, there is another ceremony, this time at the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, which was used in the first modern Olympic Games in Here, the flame is officially handed over to the host city.

It is then taken to the host country where the Olympic torch relay commences. At the end of its relay in the UK, the Olympic flame will have passed through cities, towns and villages.

These torchbearers will have been chosen or nominated by people in their communities. Many have inspirational stories, having raised money for charities or overcome personal difficulties, such as disabilities. Others will be great athletes. Send us your photos: email: yourlondon bbc. The London Route of the Torch Relay.

World Map of the Olympic Torch Relay. Tel: Textphone: for hearing impaired users e-mail: yourlondon bbc. Explore the BBC. BBC Homepage. Contact Us. Licence agreement Please attach evidence Select file Some error message here. Any additional comments? Some error message here. Loading video Play video again. Buy License Upload your video. Next video.. London chairman Sebastian Coe said: "The Olympic Flame will shine a light on inspiring people, places and Games projects and programmes right across the UK as communities begin their Olympic celebrations with the Torch Relay.

I am delighted that Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby have won this commission and wish them well as standard bearers for UK design. The origins of the Olympic torch relay look back to ancient Greece, when messengers were sent out from Olympia to announce the competition dates and call for a halt to all combat operations during the Games. The relay was revived for modern times in , when a flame was carried through Europe from Greece to Germany ahead of the Berlin Games.