Untitled Document
 The
Olympic Flame is the most
important symbol of the Olympic Games.
The flame is lit from the sun’s rays at the Temple
of Hera in Olympia, Greece. Then, after a short relay around Greece, the
flame is handed over to the new host city. While the torch is delivered to the
host country, it is transferred from one torchbearer to another, spreading the message of
peace, unity, and friendship. This year’s torchbearers
included some special people.
 The
Olympic Torch ends its journey as the last torchbearer
lights the cauldron at the Olympic Games
opening ceremony in the Olympic
Stadium, marking the official start of the Games.
It will continually burn during the Games. The
flame is extinguished on the final day of the Games at
the closing ceremony.
The 2012 Olympic Torch travelled 8,000 miles (about 13,000 kilometers)
for 69 days across the UK before arriving at the Olympic Stadium in
London for the opening ceremony. A total of 7,300 people carried the
Olympic Flame as it journeyed across the UK. Olympic Rowing gold medalist Matthew
Pinsent was the first torchbearer. An average of 115 people
a day carried the torch around 300 meters each across countries including Ireland, Scotland,
and Wales.
 Among the
torchbearers, Harry Potter star Rupert Grint was included! The actor,
who played Ron Weasley in the hit film series, carried the Olympic
torch on Day 68 of the Olympic relay. He was cheered by hundreds of
people as he left Middlesex University in northwest London for his
leg of the torch relay.
“I think this is the first time I’ve run this year. I was a little
worried, but luckily my route was all downhill!” said the 23-year-old
actor with a bright smile. “It was amazing and it was really
overwhelming. It’s just such
an honor to be a part of the
London Olympics. I’m really proud.”
The oldest torchbearer who took part in the London 2012 relay was
Diana Gould. She is 100 years old! She carried the torch to Middlesex
University in Barnet. The youngest one was a 12-year-old boy named
Dominic MacGowan. |
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