They will be awarded through a number of channels, including four public nomination campaigns to be run by London 2012 and the three Presenting Partners of the Olympic Torch Relay Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

The public nomination campaign, titled "Moment to Shine" invites the UK public to nominate inspirational people and have their story celebrated in the run up to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The majority of the 8,000 Torchbearer places are shared between London 2012 and the three sponsors with young people in particular are encouraged to get involved.

Half of the Torchbearer places expected to go to people aged between 12 and 24 years of age who are considered leading lights in their local communities and have a story of personal achievement.

Sebastian Coe, the London 2012 chairman, told insidethegames: "Carrying the Olympic Flame is an incredible honour and from today people have the opportunity to reward someone inspirational by nominating them to be part of this historic event.

"This is a great occasion to give someone you know, who has made a difference and who deserves recognition, their moment to shine."

The public nomination campaign aims to find 2,012 inspirational members of the public who have gone beyond their personal best.

The programme will run for six weeks from today and end on 11.59pm on June 29, 2011.

But there will be further opportunities to get involved via the Presenting Partner programmes that will launch in June 2011.

The London 2012 "Moment to Shine" nomination portal at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay asks nominators for up to 150 words on why their nominee should carry the Olympic Flame.

Judging panels will be set up in each Nation and Region of the UK to select the London 2012 Torchbearers for their area.

Nominees must be UK residents and only individuals may be nominated.


Anyone over 12 at the time of nomination can be put forward as a Torchbearer through the London 2012 programme but only with parent/guardian consent.

The minimum age to make a nomination through the London programme is also 12 at the time of nomination but younger people are asked to find an adult to make the nomination on their behalf who should state in the 150 word text box who they are making the nomination on behalf of.

The number of nominations will not influence whether a nominee is successful while nominators must secure the permission of their nominee to be put forward.

Torchbearers are expected to be announced from January 2012 onwards.

The 2,012 Torchbearer places on offer through the London 2012 public nomination programme is 76 per cent of the London 2012 allocation of Torchbearer places.

The remaining places will be shared between young people from schools in the Get Set Network programme, who will be 12 at the time of the Olympic Torch Relay is eight per cent, local authorities hosting an evening celebration event in recognition of their contribution to the staging of the Olympic Torch Relay six per cent), role models and outstanding members of the public by the invitation of London 2012 nearer to the time of the Relay six per cent, grassroots sports initiatives in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales three per cent and young people involved in the London 2012 International Inspiration sports participation programme one per cent.

The three Presenting Partner Torchbearer campaigns launched in June 2011 have the principle aim of nominating someone with an inspiring story of personal achievement and/or contribution to their local community at their heart.

James Quincey, the Northwest Europe and Nordics President at The Coca-Cola Company, said: "At Coca-Cola we're really excited to be sponsoring the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

"We want to shine a light on the UK's young people and celebrate the amazing things they get up to every day - from playing sport, to making music; from helping out in their local communities, to protecting the environment - and we'll be travelling up and down the country this summer to tell them more about how they can have a once in a lifetime opportunity to carry the Torch.

"To kick it all off, we'll be hosting a special concert in London on June 1, 2011 to unveil some of the UK's top music stars who'll be joining us on the road to perform at the spectacular celebrations along the route in 2012."

Sir Chris Hoy, four-time Olympic gold medallist and Lloyds TSB Ambassador for the London 2012 Games, said: "It's great that Lloyds TSB is bringing the Games closer to local communities and inviting the public to nominate someone to carry the Olympic Flame."

Gyehyun Kwon, vice president and Head of Worldwide Sports Marketing at Samsung Electronics, added: "Samsung is seeking to involve as many people as possible in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"We're giving away amazing opportunities for ordinary people who are an inspiration to others, people that go the extra mile, to run as Torchbearers and we will also help anyone to take part in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay in various ways by providing new and innovative opportunities with our wireless technologies.'

Meanwhile, London 2012 has revealed that the Supporting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay are worldwide Olympic partner Visa, Tier One partners BMW, BT and EDF Energy and Tier Three providers Aggreko and Holiday Inn.

More details of their involvement in the staging of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will be released over the coming year.

The Olympic Flame will arrive into the UK from Greece a year from today on Friday May 18, 2012 and from the start point of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay at Land's End the following morning, an average of 110 people a day will take centre stage by carrying the Olympic Flame during its 70 day journey towards the Olympic Stadium in London.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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