All Hallows Ambassadors Help to Light the Torch of Tomorrow.
Thursday 1st December 2011
All Hallows Ambassadors Jodie Knowles and George Baker are amongst a select group of people in the country to get to hold the Olympic Torch as part of their role promoting the Olympic values of Friendship, Respect and Excellence.
The Year 11 pupils were chosen to represent Salford as part of the Young Ambassador movement, a crucial part of the London 2012 vision. Two hundred and fifty youngsters from across the country attended an event at Lancashire County Cricket Club to meet representatives from LOCOG, The Department of Education and inspirational former Olympians.
George said, “The Ambassador Oath is to inspire and lead the younger generations and light the torch of tomorrow. Today has been a great opportunity to share our ideas with Young Ambassadors from other schools.”
Jodie added, “I have learned a lot today about the skills and knowledge I need to spread the power of sport to other young people in Salford.”
Lord Sebastian Coe said in his welcome, “Young Ambassadors are part of our front line task force helping to fulfil the unique power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire change.”
The Young Ambassador movement has grown over recent years, and Salford’s Platinum Young Ambassador Aldair Victoriano was also at the event to help George and Jodie. The Salford City College student said, “I started as a Young Ambassador three years ago and I have already had some great opportunities such as helping to open the Greater Manchester Games and speaking at the North West London 2012 Conference. More importantly, the role is about inspiring others to take part in sport. The Olympics is getting closer and when people see the torch coming through Salford it will be only a month away from the games. This is our chance to bring sport to more young people than ever before.”
Starting on the 19th May next year, the Olympic Torch relay will travel up and down the country with 8,000 people being fortunate to carry it along the route. Until then, opportunities to see the torch will be limited. The triangular-shaped torch was inspired by a series of ‘threes’ that are found in the history of the Olympic Games and the vision for the Olympic Movement:
The three Olympic Values of respect, excellence and friendship;
• The three words that make up the Olympic motto – faster, higher, stronger;
• The fact that the UK has hosted the Olympic Games in 1908, 1948 and will host them for the third time in 2012: and
• The vision for the London 2012 Olympic Games to combine three bodies of work – sport, education and culture.
The torch is made from an aluminium alloy developed from the aerospace and automotive industry. Weighing 800 grams, the torch has 8,000 circles representing the inspirational stories of those who will carry the flame on the torch relay. The torch will be visiting Salford over the weekend of 23rd and 24th June 2012.