London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is calling for nominations for inspirational residents of Merton to carry the torch for the Olympic torch relay in the weeks leading up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

LOCOG are looking for over 8,000 truly incredible individuals whose personal stories will inspire the millions of people watching the Olympic Torch Relay – in their community, across the UK and around the world.

Does your neighbour make a difference to the local area? Is your child’s football coach setting a positive role model within the sport? Ordinary people who do extraordinary things could take advantage of their time to shine.

With just under a year until the Olympic Flame arrives in the UK, LOCOG has also revealed the dates and celebration events of the nationwide Olympic Torch Relay.

The Olympic Flame will travel for approximately 12 hours each day, concluding each day it travels around London with an exciting early evening celebration event that will enable thousands of people each evening to enjoy a variety of entertainment and shows staged by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung with the support of the host Local Authority.

Each celebration event will differ with locally programmed content on the stage which will add to the celebratory atmosphere. Many thousands more people are expected to celebrate along the route each day.

Merton Council cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Martin Whelton said: “Merton is proud to be a host borough for the 2012, and I hope our residents and businesses send in as many nominations as possible including those who’ve made a real difference to in their school or local community; have inspired people through their work and also sporting achievers that know the importance of fair play.

‘As an Olympic host borough, I look forward to seeing the positive impact The Games will have on our community, and will be proud to see Merton residents carrying the torch on the world stage.”

To nominate a Torchbearer or to get details of the Torch Relay route visit http://www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay

Notes to editors:

· A second, more detailed route announcement to be made later this year will provide information on the route the Olympic Flame will take as it visits every London Borough from the morning of Saturday 21 July 2012 on its journey around the capital to the Olympic Stadium on the evening of Friday 27 July 2012.

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Press Contact:
Leoni Munslow
Communications Assistant
London Borough of Merton
020 8545 4654