Bedford & The Olympics 2012

In a year of celebration in 2012, Bedford was priveleged to host the Olympic Torch on Day 51 of its journey throughout Britain as well as being chosen as a 'live Site', given residents of the borough the chance to visit the International Athletic Stadium and enjoy action from the games on our big screen. 

Information on both can be found below...

Olympic Flame is coming to Bedford!

On 27 July, 2012, the eyes of the world will be on London for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games as the Olympic Flame arrives at the Olympic Stadium for the lighting of the cauldron to signify the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games. 

In the build up to the start of the event, the Olympic Flame will make its journey from Greece and arrive in the UK on 18 May 2012, ready for the Olympic Torch Relay to begin the following day.  Representing peace, unity and friendship, the Flame will start its 70-day journey around the UK towards the Stadium carried by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers.

We are proud to confirm that on the 8^th July the Olympic Flame will reach Bedford Borough.  Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame through the streets of Bedford and Cotton End who will host a welcome on behalf of their surrounding communities.  Full details of the Relay will be announced closer to the time, inviting people from across the area to welcome the Olympic Flame in these locations.  The Olympic Torch Relay will shine a spotlight on the people and places of Bedford Borough and demonstrate that the Olympic spirit is alive and well.

Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough, said:

“I am very pleased to be able to announce that the Olympic Torch will be coming to Bedford Borough on the 8^th July next year. We have been working closely with the organisers to ensure we are able to showcase all that Bedford has to offer and to give local people a chance to experience the torch relay close to home. We are expecting tremendous enthusiasm surrounding the Olympics next summer, and I believe we have an opportunity to translate that enthusiasm into lasting benefits for all.”

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “We are thrilled to confirm that Bedford Borough will act as a host location for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people in the Borough to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK. This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Bedford Borough 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 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.

In announcing the villages, towns and cities LOCOG has realised the aspiration of taking the Olympic Flame to within an hour’s journey time of 95% of the population. In fact, over 95% of the population will be within just 10 miles of the Olympic Flame next summer. The street by street detail of the route will be confirmed next year.

People are invited to view the interactive map at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap to find their nearest community through which the Olympic Flame will be carried.

On the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay, it is LOCOG’s intention that the Olympic Flame will travel down the River Thames as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers each of whom will have a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community. In December this year, successful nominees will be contacted with a conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012 onwards.

BEDFORD NAMED AS OFFICIAL LIVE SITE FOR LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS

Bedford Borough Council is delighted to confirm a free festival of sport at the Bedford International Athletic stadium during next summer’s Olympics. This will include a big screen showing all the action live, including the men's 100 metre final, and opportunities to have a go on the top class facilities on offer at the stadium, especially for young people.

The Council has received confirmation that it has been successful in a bid to have the Stadium selected as an Official Olympic ‘Live Site’ during the London 2012 games next summer.

Bedford now joins a select group of other towns and cities across the UK which will be an official part of the Olympic Games during next summer.

The ‘Live Site’ will offer local residents the opportunity to come together and experience the Olympic Games and ensure the Athletics Stadium will become a fitting centre of Olympic action for the borough.

The big screen erected at the stadium will offer Bedford Borough residents the opportunity to experience a slice of the London 2012 Olympic Games, even if they were not fortunate enough to land some of the sought after tickets to experience the Games in person.

In addition to the big screen, a number of other activities both at the Athletics Stadium and across the borough will be taking place to mark the Olympic Games and Bedford’s rich sporting heritage.

Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough, said: “I am delighted that the Games organisers have recognised Bedford’s sporting heritage and vibrant community by naming the borough as a Live Site. The free events at the International Athletics stadium are about giving local residents the chance to enjoy a shared Olympic experience close to home.

“The International Athletics stadium already hosts some of the biggest track and field events in the country and this marks it out as the centre of Olympic action in the borough. The events we put on will be free and open to all, and I hope the stadium proves to be a superb focal point for local residents to enjoy during the Games.

Cllr Doug McMurdo, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture added “The summer of 2012 looks set to be a brilliant one for local residents with the River Festival, Kite Festival as well as the excellent opportunity to experience and celebrate the Olympic Games locally.

“The Live Site will be completely free to enjoy and we hope many community groups will also be able to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity by getting involved with the site throughout the week of activities.”

Under the terms of the Live Site agreement, Bedford Borough Council will receive up to £15,000 from The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). This will be used to transform the Athletics Stadium into a fitting Olympic Live Site.