Basingstoke’s bid to be part of the Olympic legacy has paid off after London 2012 chiefs announced that the Olympic torch will pass through the town.
The flame will come to the borough on July 11 as during its 70-day tour around the UK.
Monday’s announcement by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has been welcomed by borough leaders who have worked behind the scenes to bring the torch through the town.
LOCOG chairman Lord Sebastian Coe said: “We are thrilled to confirm that Basingstoke 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.”
The borough council’s communities and sport chief, Cllr Clive Sanders, said it was a tribute to Basingstoke’s sports organisations.
“The council has been working behind the scenes for some months to bring the Olympic flame to the borough and this is really good news,” he said.
“In Basingstoke and Deane, we have a great track record for sporting achievement, which is a reflection of the commitment of our local clubs and communities to encouraging sport for all ages.
“I hope that all of our communities and our schools will get involved when the spotlight is on our borough and in the lead-up to the Olympics so that it will also be an event that we will all remember and feel proud to have been part of.”
The torch will set off from Land’s End on May 19 and travel 8,000 miles across the UK for two and half months before arriving at the Olympic stadium on July 27 for the opening ceremony.
According to LOCOG, 95 per cent of the population will be within 10 miles of the iconic flame during its travels.
More than 8,000 people will carry the torch. The successful nominees will be announced next month.
The flame will pass through Andover, Winchester, New Forest, Southampton, Fareham, Gosport, Portsmouth, and Petersfield.
Basingstoke MP Maria Miller, who lobbied for the torch to pass through the borough, said: “It really is fantastic news that the Olympic torch will come through Basingstoke next year as part of the build-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“I know that there will be huge excitement and support from people in the town to mark this historic event.”
