"Flame of Hope" arrives in London on Global Torch Run
The rain held off and the sun shone in London on Wednesday, 4 July, when the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" arrived at City Hall en route to Shanghai, China, for the Opening Ceremony of the 12th Special Olympics World Summer Games. London Metropolitan Police officers joined fellow law enforcement officers from Shanghai, Special Olympics athletes, DHL employees and more than 100 guests at Potter’s Field on the South Bank to receive the Flame of Hope from DHL UK’s CEO, Chris Muntwyler.
The Flame was then taken in ceremonial procession to a waiting cruise boat – The Millenium Peace – and transported by water to Westminster Pier. From there the Flame was then taken by the law enforcement officers, Special Olympics athletes and employees from DHL up Northumberland Avenue and into the Headquarters of Special Olympics Great Britain’s new Official Partner, National Grid, for a “pit-stop.”
The route was then to China Town and finally Leicester Square Gardens, where Special Olympics Great Britain Chairman Lawrie McMenemy welcomed special guests, including Her Excellency Madame Fu Ying, Vice Mayor of Shanghai Zhou Taitong and Chief Superintendent Tim Madgwick, Great Britain’s Torch Run Chairman.
More than 900 million people have witnessed the route of the torch so far, as the Flame is being followed by Chinese Television CCTV.
The Global Torch Run group entered China Town, which had been decorated in a sea of flags and were met by two Chinese Lions and a Chinese Dragon which then led the procession into Leicester Square Gardens to a waiting crowd of more than 300 people. The day ended with a fantastic celebratory lunch for all the athletes and guests provided by the Imperial China Restaurant.
Special Olympics Great Britain thanks everyone who helped make the day possible including DHL UK; The Big Bus Company, More London, Potter’s Field Association, City Cruises, The London Chinese China Town Association, Charing Cross Police Station China Town Division, City of Westminster Council, Local China Town Students and The Dragon and Lion Dance Group, Hill & Knowlton, and National Grid.
Article courtesy of Special Olympics Great Britain.
|
