2012 Summer Paralympics torch relay

Based on the concept used for the 2002 Winter Paralympics torch relay,the Paralympic torch relay began on 22 August 2012. In a ceremony representing human endeavour, groups of disabled and non-disabled scouts kindled the four Paralympic flames on the highest peaks of each nation of the United Kingdom; Scafell Pike in England, Ben Nevis in Scotland, Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland, and Snowdon in Wales. The four flames were then brought down from each peak in lanterns. On 24 August the flames were used to light ceremonial cauldrons in their respective capital cities (London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff) during the "Flame Festival" events. A total of 38 communities also hosted their "Flame Celebration" events over the August Bank Holiday weekend, where community representatives collected a part of their nation's flame to held for their respective events.{{cite news|title=Mountain cauldrons will spark Paralympic torch relay|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/mountain-cauldrons-will-spark-paralympic-torch-relay-8050170.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/mountain-cauldrons-will-spark-paralympic-torch-relay-8050170.html |archive-date=2022-05-01 |url-access=subscription|work= The Independent|accessdate=19 August 2012|location=London|first=Jerome|last=Taylor|date=15 August 2012}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|title=Paralympics 2012: flames lit across Britain at the start of Paralympic torch relay celebrations|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9492379/Paralympics-2012-flames-lit-across-Britain-at-the-start-of-Paralympic-torch-relay-celebrations.html| work = The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=23 August 2012|location=London|first=Tim|last=Williams|date=22 August 2012}}

File:Scafell Pike.JPG|Scafell Pike

File:BenNevis2005.jpg|Ben Nevis

File:Murlough Beach, August 2010 (04).JPG|Slieve Donard

File:Snowdon massif.jpg|Snowdon

File:Ann Wild.jpg, a British Paralympian, with the torch.]]

On 28 August 2012 a ceremony was held at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, in honour of Stoke Mandeville's significance to the Paralympic movement, where the four national flames were united in a cauldron at precisely 8:12 pm (20:12) to form a single flame for the relay. The four flames were brought into the stadium by dignitaries, including English model Katie Piper (who began to campaign for burns victims after having acid thrown in her face in 2009){{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6384367/Acid-attack-model-talks-about-recovery.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023080753/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6384367/Acid-attack-model-talks-about-recovery.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 October 2009|title=Acid attack model talks about recovery|date=20 October 2009| work = The Daily Telegraph |accessdate=20 October 2009 | location=London | first=Myles | last=Burke}} and Scottish amateur boxer Jonjo Look (who had a leg amputated and replaced by a prosthesis following an accident filling a gas canister).{{cite news|title=Boxer Jonjo Look back in ring after losing lower leg|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-16410398|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=29 August 2012|date=5 January 2012}}{{cite news|title=Four Paralympic flames united at Stoke Mandeville|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9504731/Four-Paralympic-flames-united-at-Stoke-Mandeville.html|work = The Daily Telegraph |accessdate=29 August 2012|location=London|first=Victoria|last=Ward|date=28 August 2012}}

The flame travelled a {{convert|92|mi|adj=on|abbr=off}} route to the Olympic Stadium in a 24-hour relay, with 580 torchbearers working in teams of five. It travelled through iconic areas of London such as Abbey Road and London Zoo.{{cite news|title=London 2012: Scouts to spark Paralympic flame|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19265010|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=16 August 2012|date=15 August 2012}} Poor weather caused a two-hour delay on the Wednesday before the Games; parts of the route were modified to help ensure it would reach the stadium in time, while a backup flame was taken straight to the stadium as a contingency.{{cite news|title=Paralympics 2012: Backup torch is lit after delays cause fears that flame won't make opening ceremony on time|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9507005/Paralympics-2012-Backup-torch-is-lit-after-delays-cause-fears-that-flame-wont-make-opening-ceremony-on-time.html| work = The Daily Telegraph |accessdate=30 August 2012|location=London|date=29 August 2012}} However, as the opening ceremony's parade of nations took longer than expected, the flame was able to arrive at Olympic Stadium in time.{{cite news|title=Paralympics 2012 opening ceremony: Games launched on a storm of ideas|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/30/paralympics-2012-opening-ceremony-games-launched-storm-ideas?newsfeed=true| work = The Guardian |accessdate=30 August 2012|location=London|first=Owen|last=Gibson|date=30 August 2012}}

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The final three torchbearers represented three generations of Paralympic athletes. The torch entered the Olympic Stadium via a zipline attached to ArcelorMittal Orbit, carried by Joe Townsend, a former Royal Marine with amputated legs. Townsend represented the future as an athlete planning to compete in 2016 Summer Paralympics, a plan that came to fruition when he represented Great Britain in triathlon in Rio. He passed the torch to David Clarke, long-time captain of Britain's Five-a-side football team, representing the present. With his guide, Clarke passed the torch to Margaret Maughan, the winner of Great Britain's first gold medal at the 1960 Summer Paralympics, representing the past.

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;August 24

:{{0}}1. London

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:{{0}}2. Belfast

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:{{0}}5. Stoke Mandeville

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{{see also|London 2012 Olympic Torch}}

The Paralympic torch was designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, who had also designed the Summer Olympic torch. It was intended to have a "modern" and "innovative" look, and was constructed with an aluminium alloy skin that is perforated to help with heat dissipation and grip. The torch also had a reflective finish, allowing it to match its surroundings and provide better visibility at night.

• 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay
• 2010 Winter Paralympics torch relay
• 2008 Summer Paralympics torch relay

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14921272 Torch route]

{{Olympic torch relays}}

Torch relay

Category:Summer Paralympics torch relays