Flame Followers
To celebrate the epic journey of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, your pupils can join us as Flame Followers and join in the celebrations during the Relay which travels across the UK between 19 May and 27 July 2012. By signing up to Flame Followers this term, you'll be able to access free resources to help get your pupils inspired and excited about the Olympic Torch Relay.
Once registered you can find out how
to Adopt a Torchbearer and download lesson plans, assembly presentations and
teacher notes, to help you teach your pupils about the London 2012 Olympic Torch
Relay. These free cross-curricular resources deliver against KS2 and KS3
curriculum objectives and cover subjects such as English, history, geography,
Art & Design, D&T, maths and PSHCEE.
Adopt a Torchbearer gives schools the opportunity to invite one of our
inspirational London 2012 Olympic Torchbearers to visit the school. This could
be during National School Sport Week, or for an assembly or Q&A at another time.
Register now and get your pupils
inspired and excited about the Olympic Torch Relay and thinking about how you
can celebrate the Relay as it passes through, or near your community this
summer.
The Olympic Torch Relay: Where did it all begin?
The journey of the Olympic Flame begins 93,000,000 miles away with the Sun. Ancient Greeks believed that fire was a gift from the Gods and used energy direct from the sun to light the Olympic Flame in a ceremony at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece. Today the sun’s rays are still captured this way using a special parabolic mirror.
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At the ancient Olympic Games, a Flame burned permanently at the altar of the Goddess Hestia. There was no Torch Relay with a Flame; however runners travelled across the country with a message of peace, so that the athletes could travel safely to the Games in Olympia. The first modern Olympic Torch Relay was held in Berlin in 1936.
The Olympic Flame is one of the most iconic and inspirational elements of any Olympic Games and everywhere the Olympic Flame travels, it will generate pride among people in their local community.
What happens today?
After the sun’s rays have been captured using a special parabolic mirror, the Olympic Flame begins a one week tour around Greece. The Olympic Flame is then transferred to a miner’s lamp where it can be safely transported to the country hosting the Olympic Games. It will then begin a unique journey – the Olympic Torch Relay.
The Relay covers huge distances, involves thousands of people as Olympic Torchbearers and sees vast crowds gathering to cheer the Olympic Flame on its journey.
Olympic Torchbearers can run or walk with the Olympic Flame; but some have been known to swim, ski, cycle or even fly! Whatever the method of transport, each person passes the Olympic Flame onto the next until it reaches the Opening Ceremony. The arrival of the Olympic Flame at the Olympic Stadium will signify the start of the Games.
The Olympic Torch Relay connects the Ancient Games to the Modern ones and transmits a message of peace, friendship, hope and respect to the world.
Did you know?
- The Olympic Flame is extinguished at the end of every Olympic Games – so it’s a new Flame which is lit using the sun’s rays for every Games.
- For every Olympic Torch Relay, a new Torch is designed to reflect the national identity and character of the host country.
- Every Olympic Torchbearer carries their own Torch so for the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, there will be over 8000 Torches made.
The London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay
The London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will be the biggest event this country has seen and is an important part of the build up to the Olympic Games. Through our Presenting Partnership of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, we will bring the inspiration of the Olympic Flame to peoples’ doorsteps across the UK inviting,communities and schools to be at the heart of the Olympic Torch Relay.
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The Greatest Journey on Earth!
The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK on 18 May 2012 and embark on a 70 day journey across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, travelling within a one-hour journey of 95% of the population. The Flame’s arrival at the Opening Ceremony on 27 July 2012 will officially signify the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
8,000 Olympic Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame through over a thousand communities. It will bring the Games to people’s doorsteps and showcase the best of the UK – from dynamic urban areas to places of outstanding natural beauty and sporting and cultural landmarks.
Click here to see the Olympic Torch Relay route for details of when it will pass near your community.