Charnwood Torch to Schools Project Launch (International Olympic Day & 400 days to go to the Games)

On Thursday 23rd June 2011, to coincide with International Olympic Day and 400 days to go the London 2012 Olympic Games, 400 young people from the Borough of Charnwood in Leicestershire took part in an event to launch the Charnwood Torch to Schools project.

The launch, organised by the Charnwood Sport and Active Recreation Alliance, Loughborough University, Loughborough College and Inspire LeicesterShire, saw 400 primary school children taking part in an opening and closing ceremony, sports activity delivered by young volunteers from the Flames: Lighting the Way project, and in a Torch Relay using the original 1948 Olympic Torch.

The event was attended by none other than Lord Sebastian Coe.

The Torch, which has been donated by Loughborough College, will now embark on a 12-month tour to visit every one of the borough's 65 schools.

Councillor David Snartt, Charnwood Borough Council's cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "We're delighted to have secured a torch from the 1948 games to inspire children who could be our future Olympians. It really does bring the past, present and future together in the name of sport.

"Charnwood is playing a central role in the 2012 Games and we want to get as many people as possible in the Borough involved and interested. This torch relay does just that."

The torch's roots are planted firmly in Loughborough after Commander Bill Collins, the man behind the London 1948 Games torch relay, bequeathed one of the 1,688 torches to Loughborough College where he taught athletics.

Rob Jarram, Sports Development Officer at Loughborough College, said: "Getting the torch into every primary school in Charnwood will be a hugely unique achievement, and create a life-long memory for hundreds of young people."

Gaynor Nash, the regional co-ordinator for the Children & Young People's Legacy for the 2012 Games, is opening the event. She said: "The torch is hugely symbolic and that is not lost on the children who will get to hold it and run with it. I have yet to see a child hold that Torch and not have either a look of pride on his or her face or a great big smile."

Further information can be found at www.inspireleics.org.uk

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Olympics
• Paralympics
• Olympic Torch
• Physical Activity
• London 2012
• London 2012 Olympic Games
• Paralympic
• Children;
• Get Set
• Olympic Values
• Paralympic Values
• My Games My Legacy