The Hellenic Foundation for Culture
proudly welcomes
the Olympic Flame to London
Saturday 26 June 2004
In 2004 the Olympic Games are returning to Greece, their ancient birthplace, and Athens, the city of their revival in 1896. The Summer Olympic Games will take place from 13 to 29 August and the Paralympic Games from 17 to 29 September.
To celebrate the homecoming of the Olympic Games to Athens, a Global Olympic Torch Relay is being held during June and July 2004. The Relay will run on all five continents as represented by the Olympic rings, including –for the first time ever- Africa and South America. The global theme for the Relay is "Pass the Flame, Unite the World". The Torch Relay started at Olympia in Greece, the birthplace of the Games, and then traveled onto Sydney, host of the last Olympic Games in 2000. From Sydney it started its journey through 32 cities that have been selected on the basis that they have previously hosted, are due to host or are bidding to host the Olympic Games.
The journey of the flame encompasses Ancient Olympia, Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Delhi, Cairo, Cape Town, Rio, Mexico City, Los Angeles, St Louis, Atlanta, New York, Montreal, Antwerp, Brussels, Amsterdam, Geneva, Lausanne, Paris, London, Barcelona, Rome, Munich, Berlin, Stockholm, Helsinki, Moscow, Kiev, Istanbul, Sofia, Nicosia and, finally, a tour of Greece, culminating with the opening of the Athens 2004 Games on 13 August.
On Saturday 26 June, the Olympic Flame will visit London, a former Olympic city which is biding to host the
2012 Games. The London Olympic Torch Relay is managed by a Community Task Force led by the
Greater London Authority and the British Olympic Association, in partnership with the Athens 2004 Olympic Committee.
The Olympic Torch Relay is a unique occasion that will reflect the very best of London; its diverse communities, its heritage, unity and stunning locations - and above all its people, who are invited to come out on the day to welcome the Olympic Flame. There will be many opportunities to view the Relay and participate in this unique celebration. There will also be community activities, festivals and events at different points along the
route.
The Relay will start at Wimbledon and will follow a 48km route, through many of London's communities and past many of London's great landmarks, before arriving at its final destination in the Mall in the early evening, where it will end with a major
free public celebration, which will include the lighting of a cauldron by the final torchbearer. Approximately 140 torchbearers together with escort runners will take part in the Relay.
The route goes through the following 11 London boroughs: Camden, Greenwich, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Westminster, and the City of London. Between Greenwich and Tower Hamlets the Flame will travel on a London Fire Brigade river boat from Greenwich Pier to Island Gardens. A drum call and response will welcome the flame as the torch crosses the river from Cutty Sark Gardens. The celebration will start at midday and will include an aerial performance, pyrotechnic effects, street theatre and community group performances highlighted by the contribution of the Lyceum of Greek Women, whose members will present a programme of traditional music and dances from Greece. The torch relay is expected to arrive at approximately 14.00pm. This event is arranged by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. (nearest DLR station: Island Gardens).
Performance
"Lykion ton Hellinidon" will perform traditional dances at Island Gardens, on the route of the Torch Relay.
13:40-13:55pm - Dances from the Islands
14:15-14:35pm - Dances from Thessaly.
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