FINAL STOP: The last Torchbearer on the River Thames, Amber Charles, will carry the Flame to Tower Bridge for a final photo opportunity in front of the Olympic Rings. –Photo taken from london2012.com
AFTER 69 days travelling the length and breadth of the UK, the Flame embarks on its final journey towards the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in the Olympic Stadium.
After 69 days travelling the length and breadth of the UK, the Olympic Flame takes to the River Thames on the morning of Friday 27 July.
Starting from Hampton Court Palace, Olympic Rowing gold medallist Matthew Pinsent will carry the Flame on to the Royal Rowbarge, the Gloriana, named by Her Majesty as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The Rowbarge will be rowed down the Thames to Tower Bridge by 16 oarsmen and women including Olympic Rowers James Cracknell and Jonny Searle.
Once on board, Pinsent will light a ceremonial cauldron, that will be used to light the Torches of seven young Torchbearers, in turn, to carry the Flame as it travels down the river.
One of the Torchbearers aboard will be Amber Charles, 22, From Newham who played a key role in London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games seven years ago, presenting London’s proposal to stage the Games to members of the IOC at Lausanne in 2004.
As the last Torchbearer on the Thames, Amber will carry the Flame to City Hall. The Flame will then remain out of public view until it appears at the Opening Ceremony.
Over the past 70 days over 13 million people have lined the streets of the UK to show their support. LOCOG Chair Seb Coe commented “Thank you to each and every person for giving the Olympic Flame such a magnificent welcome and celebrating the best of the UK with us. Together we have given the London 2012 Games the best possible start.”
The Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium tomorrow evening during the Opening Ceremony, where the cauldron will be lit and stay alight until being extinguished on the final day of the Games.