Coe carries a torch for Vancouver
12 Feb 2010London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Seb Coe carried the Olympic Flame earlier today on the final day of the Vancouver 2012 Torch Relay.
Seb Coe joins the torch relay
Receiving the torch from the 38th Governor of California and Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Seb’s 500-metre journey began just after 0700 PST (1500 GMT).
The Vancouver Olympic Torch has undertaken a 106-day journey across Canada culminating tonight with the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron to signal the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Sebastian Coe and Arnold Schwarzenegger are just two of a number of celebrity torch relay runners who have carried the Olympic Flame in its final week, with popular Canadian singing star Michael Buble appearing as the final runner yesterday.
Seb Coe said: ‘It is a true honour to be given the opportunity to carry the flame and to experience this celebration is a truly inspiring moment for me. Being passed the flame by the Terminator was something to tell the kids about too. The atmosphere around Vancouver is a great insight into the type of celebrations we can expect to see across the UK in 2012.
‘The team and I are out here to take advantage of our last opportunity to learn from another Host City before we stage the Games in London in 2012 but right now we’re wishing Vancouver the best of luck – the city is buzzing with excitement and I’m sure it’s going to be a memorable Games.’
The torch, which is the Olympic symbol of peace, brotherhood and enlightenment, will continue its journey through Vancouver through the day on its journey to Vancouver’s BC Place, which will host the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Games later this evening.
The Vancouver 2010 Torch Relay has inspired and engaged Canadians from coast to coast to coast, shining a light on the people, places and perspectives that are truly and uniquely Canadian. It has visited over 1,000 communities and places of interest with nearly 200 celebrations hosted by communities in every province and territory.
Related posts:
- British sportswriter carries the torch for journalists heading to Vancouver
- 2010 Paralympic Winter Games torch relay arrives in Vancouver
- Paralympic torch relay begins journey to Vancouver 2010 Games
