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| Host city | London, United Kingdom |
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| Countries visited | United Kingdom |
| Start date | 22 August 2012 |
| End date | 29 August 2012 |
| Torch designer | Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby |
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| Part of a series on |
| 2012 Summer Paralympics |
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The2012 Summer Paralympics torch relay ran from 22 to 29 August 2012, prior to the2012 Summer Paralympics. The relay began with four flames kindled on the highest peaks of the four nations of the United Kingdom, which were then brought to their respective capital cities for special events honouring the upcoming Games. For the relay proper, the four national flames were united at a ceremony inStoke Mandeville in preparation for a final 92-mile (148-kilometre) journey to London.[1]
Based on the concept used for the2002 Winter Paralympics torch relay,the Paralympic torch relay began on 22 August 2012. In a ceremony representing human endeavour, groups of disabled and non-disabledscouts 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, andSnowdon in Wales. The four flames were then brought down from each peak inlanterns. On 24 August the flames were used to light ceremonial cauldrons in their respective capital cities (London,Edinburgh,Belfast andCardiff) during the "Flame Festival" events. A total of 38 communities also hosted their "Flame Celebration" events over theAugust Bank Holiday weekend, where community representatives collected a part of their nation's flame to held for their respective events.[2][3][4]
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On 28 August 2012 a ceremony was held atStoke Mandeville Stadium, in honour ofStoke 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 modelKatie Piper (who began to campaign for burns victims after having acid thrown in her face in 2009)[5] and Scottish amateur boxer Jonjo Look (who had a leg amputated and replaced by a prosthesis following an accident filling a gas canister).[6][7]
The flame travelled a 92-mile (148-kilometre) 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 asAbbey Road andLondon Zoo.[2] 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.[8] However, as the opening ceremony's parade of nations took longer than expected, the flame was able to arrive at Olympic Stadium in time.[9]
The final three torchbearers represented three generations of Paralympic athletes. The torch entered the Olympic Stadium via azipline attached toArcelorMittal Orbit, carried byJoe Townsend, a formerRoyal Marine with amputated legs. Townsend represented the future as an athlete planning to compete in2016 Summer Paralympics, a plan that came to fruition when he represented Great Britain in triathlon in Rio. He passed the torch toDavid Clarke, long-time captain of Britain'sFive-a-side football team, representing the present. With his guide, Clarke passed the torch toMargaret Maughan, the winner ofGreat Britain's first gold medal at the1960 Summer Paralympics, representing the past.[9]
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.[2]
