Olympic torch set to come to Ceredigion (From Tivyside Advertiser)

Olympic torch set to come to Ceredigion

10:20am Monday 7th November 2011 in News

The Olympic Torch is coming to Ceredigion next spring as part of its 8,000-mile round Britain relay to the 2012 Games in London.

The eyes of the world will be on the Flame as it travels through Cardigan and on to Sarnau, Brynhoffnant, Llanarth, Aberaeron and Aberystwyth and all communities are being urged to start planning now how they can be part of this “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

The Torch will be carried by locally nominated bearers on Sunday, May 27.

“This is a unique event for Ceredigion. It will provide an opportunity for community celebrations and for us all to share in the Olympic spirit,” said Cllr Keith Evans, leader of Ceredigion County Council, which has played a part in the organisation of the route.

He added: “This will give us a great opportunity to showcase Ceredigion for the watching world. Let us all get together and organise events in our communities to celebrate the special visit.”

Mayor of Cardigan, Cllr Catrin Miles, said: “The news that the Olympic Torch is to be carried through Aberteifi next May is really excellent and exciting and will showcase our jewel of a town in south Ceredigion.

“I hope that it will give us all the impetus to have a jolly good ‘spring clean’ and tidy-up those areas of town that have been neglected for so long. The community came together magnificently for the 900-year celebrations in 2010 and I'm confident that we can all do it again for 2012.”

County councillor Mark Cole said: "I'm absolutely delighted that the Olympic Torch will be coming through Cardigan. I raised the matter in 2009 when I was Mayor when the opportunity of welcoming this iconic sporting emblem to our community first became feasible. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us.”

Making the announcement, Sebastian Coe, chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said: “We are thrilled to confirm that Ceredigion will act as host location for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people in the county to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK.

“This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Ceredigion to start planning how they can be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational Torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to the start of the Olympic Games.”