City Youth's Sam Mardle and David Wray with

St Albans Mayor, Cllr Aislinn and Executive Leader of St Albans District Council, Cllr Julian Daly

ST ALBANS will play a key role in London 2012 celebrations after it was announced that the city will host the Olympic torch relay.

A message of peace, unity and friendship will be spread throughout the district on Sunday, July 8, 2012 as torchbearers themselves are also given a chance to shine according to the Olympic tradition.
St Albans is one of over 1,000 villages, towns and cities through which the flame will pass, announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) on Monday.

The 8,000 mile London 2012 Olympic torch relay begins its 70-day journey around the UK at Land’s End, the most south westerly point of mainland Britain, on May 19. It ends when the last torchbearer lights the cauldron at the Olympic Games opening ceremony, on July 27, when the eyes of the world will be fixed on London. Local torchbearers will become part of a group of 8,000 people chosen to carry the flame the length and breadth of the UK, each of whom will have a story of personal achievement or contribution to the community. Successful nominees will be confirmed from February next year. LOCOG’s announcement has been welcomed by St Albans civic leaders, local sportspeople and the wider community. St Albans mayor, Cllr Aislinn Lee, joined young sports ambassadors, St Albans City Youth and others at an official announcement outside council chambers on Monday. She said: “We are going to take part in a piece of history. It is appropriate the torch comes to St Albans because we excel in sports in St Albans. “I’m forever going to award ceremonies where I see exceptional young people.” Executive leader of St Albans district council, Cllr Julian Daly, urged locals to make a date to join in the Olympic fun. He said the council had been working with LOCOG on St Albans being part of the torch relay ahead of the announcement. School pupils also welcomed the news, with Rowen Seglah, a year 12 pupil at Beaumont School, saying she and fellow young sports ambassadors were keen to encourage children throughout St Albans to participate in sports and “get psyched up” about the Games. Leanne Douglas, the council’s community  evelopment manager, said planning is well underway for activities for residents to enjoy alongside the relay. The street-by-street detail of the precise route through the district will be confirmed next year. The flame will be passed to torchbearers in St  Albans on July 8 following relays through Cambridge, Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield earlier in the day. It will leave St Albans for Hemel Hempstead, then Luton for an overnight celebration on July 8. Lord  ebastian  Coe, chair of LOCOG, said: “We are thrilled to confirm that St Albans will act as a host location for the Olympic flame.” Article by Debbie White Herts Advertiser