Olympic torch to visit Warwick, Leamington and Kenilworth

On July 1 torchbearers will carry the flame through towns and villages around Warwickshire on its journey between venues in Birmingham and Coventry.

Organisers of the games today (Monday) announced the 1,018 places the torch will visit between May 19 and July 27, ensuring almost everyone in the country is within ten miles of the route.

Cllr Helen Walton, Warwickshire County Council’s Olympic ambassador, said: “This is a once in a lifetime event and it will be a special moment for each of the communities on the route to see the Olympic flame and witness the spectacle of the torch relay going through their streets.

“We anticipate that our towns and villages on the route will be hosting events to celebrate the occasion and share the Olympic spirit as the flame makes its way to the capital for the opening ceremony.

“The games is a celebration of Great Britain and, as home to iconic locations such as Warwick Castle and Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Warwickshire is looking forward to flying the flag for London 2012.”

In keeping with tradition, the flame will be lit in Athens before being flown to the UK. It will begin its journey at Land’s End on May 19 and travel 8,000 miles and be carried by 8,000 torchbearers on its way to the Olympic stadium in London.

On the 44th day it will be carried from Birmingham to Coventry, where it will end the day at the Ricoh Arena, the venue for 12 Olympic football matches.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the games’ organising committee, said: “This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Warwickshire 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.”

The final street-by-street route will be announced next year. Nominated torchbearers will be contacted with a conditional offer and places will be confirmed from February 2012 onwards.