Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic Torch is coming to the UK and Coca‑Cola will be sponsoring this exciting event.

Being selected to carry the Flame will mean a place in Olympic Games legacy, as the tradition was first observed at the earliest Olympic Games in Ancient Greece.

The Torch will be lit from the heat of the sun in Olympia and will travel around Greece for five days. It will then be brought to the UK and the Olympic Torch Relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19th May, 2012. The Olympic Flame is expected to travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK, giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them. The Olympic Flame will then arrive at the Olympic Stadium on 27th July, 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

There will be 8,000 Torchbearers on this incredible journey, passing the Flame between them, and it is estimated that 95 per cent of the population will be within a one hour journey time of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

To reflect Coca‑Cola's support for the London 2012 Olympic Games and the communities we operate in, we intend to use the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay to shine a light on the best of British youth and encourage people to get involved in their local communities. We look forward to giving young people from across the UK the chance to carry the Olympic Flame.

Coca‑Cola and the Olympic Torch Relay
Coca‑Cola has supported the Olympic Torch Relay since the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. During that time we've seen the Olympic Torch travel to 41 countries in the celebration of the Olympic Games of Atlanta 1996, Nagano 1998, Salt Lake 2002, Athens 2004, Torino 2006, Beijing 2008 and Vancouver 2010.

The Torch is an enduring symbol of the hope, determination and hard work involved in the Olympic Games. As one of the Presenting Partners for the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Coca‑Cola is helping to spread the magic of the Olympic Games around the country and inspire communities across the UK to participate in the biggest celebration of world sport.

James Quincey, President, Northwest Europe & Nordics, Coca‑Cola, said: "We’re extremely proud to be sponsoring the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay and know from first-hand experience how powerful it can be in inspiring local communities to get involved in the spirit of the world’s biggest festival of sport. We’ll be helping to spread the magic of London 2012 right across the UK, and we intend to shine a light on the best of British youth by giving them the chance to carry the Olympic Flame."