Olympic Torch begins UK tour

The Olympic Flame has started its 70-day tour of the UK in the run-up to the London 2012 Games.

Three-times Olympic Gold medallist and Ben Ainslie CBE was the first Torchbearer for the Relay as crowds cheered from the sidelines.

Over 100 people are expected to bear the torch throughout the day.

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.

The Olympic flame arrived in the UK on board a flight from Athens last night.

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad, will take place in London, England, United Kingdom, from 27 July to 12 August 2012.

Following a bid headed by former Olympic champion Sebastian Coe, London was selected as the host city on 6 July 2005 during the 117th IOC Session in Singapore, defeating Moscow, New York City, Madrid and Paris.London will become the first city to officially host the modern Olympic Games three times, having previously done so in 1908 and in 1948.

While budgetary considerations for the games have generated some criticism, they have also been welcomed by others as having prompted a redevelopment of many of the areas of London in which events are to be held – particularly themed towards sustainability.The main focus of the games will be a new 200 hectare Olympic Park, constructed on a former industrial site at Stratford in the east of London.The Games also make use of many venues which were already in place before the bid.