Frequently Asked questions

• Q: How did LOCOG decide which locations would be on the route and in what order? A:The aim is to take the 2012 Games and the Olympic Flame to as many people as possible and to showcase the UK to the world so a number of factors had to be considered when identifying host communities.

  These factors were primarily based upon population, but sporting, historical, scenic and cultural attributes, logistical limitations and the unique requirements of the relay convoy were also taken into account.

  LOCOG is pleased to be bringing the Flame to within 10 miles of over 95% of the UK population and believe the optimum balance of incorporating great sights and reach to people has been achieved.

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• Q: Is the Olympic Flame going to every county? A: The Olympic Flame will be going to every geographical county in England and every Local Authority in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It will also visit every London Borough.
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• Q: Why is so much of the Relay being staged in London? A: London is the largest metropolitan area in the UK and the host city for the 2012 Games. Approximately 23% of the UK’s population live in London so it is appropriate that the Olympic Flame visits London for the final week.
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• Q: Why are there more stops in the South of the UK? A: We want to ensure that the Olympic Flame reaches as many people as possible to give them the opportunity to take part and celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

  The density of population is greater in Southern part of the UK so by having more stops there we are better able to achieve the ambition of reaching 95% of the population, as simply more people live there.

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• Q: When will the street by street plan be announced? A: LOCOG and the Local Authorities are working on the optimum time to do this next year, closer to the time of the Relay – both to advise on rolling road closures, diversions and to ensure people understand the best vantage points.
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• Q: How big is the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay convoy? A: There are 12 vehicles in the core convoy. The Presenting Partners each have a vehicle within this convoy. Other vehicles include the Torchbearer drop off and collection vehicle, a media truck, a security vehicle and a pilot car.
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• Q: How many people are in the Olympic Torch Relay crew? A: An estimated 350 people will crew the event – this includes the whole London 2012 team including Presenting Partners, accompanying media and the security detail. Not all these people will be in the same place at the same time however.
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• Q: Will the Olympic Flame be carried all the way around the UK? A: The Olympic Flame travels all around the UK but it is not always being carried by a Torchbearer. At times the Olympic Flame is transported in what is known as convoy mode and other interesting modes of transport.
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• Q: How will the flame be transported when it’s not travelling by torch e.g. how can it travel on a plane? A: Whilst in Torchbearer mode, the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers in a Torch. At the end of each of day, the Olympic Flame will be brought to the Evening Celebration events, where it will be held in a cauldron for the attending audience to see until the close of the event. When the Flame is not in a Torch or cauldron, it will be transferred to a lantern.

  Based on the principle of the lanterns that miners used, they are designed to protect the flame and help ensure a long burn time. These lanterns have been certified to enable the Flame to be carried on aeroplanes.

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• Q: What speeds can the Olympic Flame withstand whilst being carried in the Torch? A: The Torch has been put through a series of climate tests to ensure it is able to withstand a wide range of conditions. In a controlled environment the Torch was tested up to 35mph. Accounting for both wind speed and the speed of a moving vehicle, the Torch will be able to withstand travelling at around 20mph.
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• Q: How do you fly a live flame? A: British Airways has a highly skilled team of experts who are familiar with dealing with unique situations like this. The Olympic Flame will be in very safe hands.
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• Q: What is the date for the Lighting Ceremony? A: LOCOG and the Hellenic Olympic Committee will confirm the date of the Lighting Ceremony in Olympia, Greece and other top-line elements of the Greek leg before the end of the year.
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• Q: What are the venues for the evening celebrations in each city? A: The precise locations for the evening celebrations are currently being finalised with the Local Authorities and will begin to be announced shortly.
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• Q: Will they be ticketed events? A: They will be free events, some Local Authorities may choose to free ticket them for operational reasons. All this detail will be confirmed in due course.
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• Q: How many people will attend each event? A: Exact numbers are dependent on the venue and other considerations. However, it is envisaged that thousands will be able to participate each evening.
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• Q: Is the Torch Relay expected to attract any trouble? A: With a year to go, we are not aware of any specific intention to disrupt the Relay. Above all this is a family event, celebrating the achievements of local people and we hope people will respect that. As you would expect we are already working with all the relevant authorities to ensure the best intelligence is in place to inform our plans and the most appropriate security is in place to ensure things go as safely as possible.
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• Q: Will public transport facilities be prepared for the influx of people trying to get to each evening celebration location? A: LOCOG are working with Local Authorities and service providers to make this a priority and manage the crowds effectively and ensure adequate transport.
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• Q: Will roads be closed for the purpose of the Relay? A: To keep disruption to a minimum, it is likely that a well tried and tested rolling road closure system will be used. This will be managed by the police in conjunction with the Local Authority.
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• Q: How do LOCOG plan to ensure no one is inconvenienced? A: Any inconvenience will be kept to a minimum and LOCOG will be working with all Local Authorities to follow best practice and provide good information about any changes well in advance of the Relay. This is a once in a lifetime event and we are confident that the majority of people will be supportive and proud to celebrate some of the most inspiring people in their community.

  How much will the security detail cost and how will the chain of command work between the different Police Forces?

  The MET and local police forces have a comprehensive funding and operational plan in place. More details to follow shortly on this.

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• Q: When will Torchbearers be confirmed? A: LOCOG will contact successful Torchbearers in early December with a conditional offer. Some case studies will be released around that time. Places will be confirmed from mid February 2012 onwards with rolling programme run to profile those carrying the Flame.
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• Q: Which public figures and celebrities will be involved in the Relay? A: This hasn’t been decided as yet and won’t be until well after the public Torchbearers start to be confirmed.
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• Q: Will Paralympians run in the Olympic Torch Relay? A: The BPA does not hold an allocation of places but if a Paralympian or indeed an Olympian were to be nominated under our general criteria and succeed then yes they would be welcome to carry the Olympic Flame.
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• Q: Will background checks be carried out on Torchbearers? A: The terms and conditions make it clear that criminal records should be declared and LOCOG reserves the right to undertake checks.

  LOCOG reserves the right to withdraw an offer of a Torchbearer place should someone be deemed as bringing themselves and/or London 2012 into disrepute in the time between the offer being made and the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

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• Q: What will the Torchbearer uniform be like? A: The Torchbearer uniform will be launched next year. Uniforms will be produced by adidas.
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• Q: Will Torchbearers get to keep their uniforms? A: Yes they will and they’ll also receive a participation certificate after the Relay is completed.
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• Q: Will Torchbearers be able to keep their Torch? A: It is common Games practice for some of the production costs to be offset by inviting Torchbearers to purchase their Torch. Six out of the last seven Games made this offer to their Torchbearers. LOCOG will confirm the Torches for Torchbearers programme in due course.
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• Q: Who will be the final Torchbearer who lights the cauldron the Stadium? A: LOCOG has an open mind on this at the moment – the decision will be made with the Opening Ceremony team as it is a key element of the show.
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• Q: Are any people not able to carry the Olympic Flame? A: Elected officials and the paid London 2012 Games workforce. Any Olympians and Paralympians in paid roles with LOCOG or who are now elected officials will be considered separately.
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• Q: Who is funding the Torch Relays? A: LOCOG and the Presenting Partners will fund the Torch Relays. LOCOG and the Presenting Partners will stage and produce the moving convoy and the entertainment for evening celebrations, the management of the 8,000 Torchbearers, and design and manufacture of the uniforms and Torches. LOCOG and the Presenting Partners will provide the outdoor screen, portable stage, sound, lighting and production management for the evening celebration.
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• Q: How much will it cost? A: LOCOG does not disclose such financial information. Both relays are funded from LOCOG’s privately financed budget with the support of the Presenting Partners.
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• Q: Who are the Presenting Partners? A: Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB/Bank of Scotland and Samsung are the Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. Coca-Cola brings optimum expertise in the Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB brings a high street presence and well established community based programmes to support the staging of the Relay, and Samsung enables a wider audience to enjoy the Torch Relay through its innovative wireless technology.
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• Q: Are there additional commercial partnerships related to the Relay? A: There are only three Presenting Partners. LOCOG has a number of Supporting Partners of the Olympic Torch Relay - Worldwide Olympic Partners Procter and Gamble and Visa, Tier One Partners BMW, BP, British Airways, BT and EDF, Tier Three Providers Aggreko, Holiday Inn and NATURE VALLEY.
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• Q: Isn’t this just another very expensive activity for an already big budget event that will put added pressure on our economy? A: The event itself is delivered by the private financed LOCOG and the Presenting Partners and the Supporting Partners.
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• Q: What will be paid for locally? A: LOCOG is asking Local Authorities that invite the Torch Relay to come to their area, to consider what welcome they would like to programme alongside the Torch Relay and to meet the costs of welcome events

  This includes usual event related services such as stewarding, street cleaning, toilet facilities and event infrastructure.

  The scale and content of the welcome will be agreed together and will be appropriate to the resources available and story the local area wants to tell.

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• Q: What will be the total economic benefit you expect the Olympic Torch Relay to deliver to areas outside of London? A: That is difficult to quantify at present as the event plans are not fully in place.
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