15 people have been selected to be Torchbearers, tasked with carrying the Olympic Flame through Hammersmith & Fulham on Thursday, July 26 - the day before the Olympic Games'  Opening Ceremony.

The chosen 15 range from local teenagers to mature entrants from as far away as Italy and China.

London 2012 organisers say that the torchbearers are all inspirational people, nominated by someone they know, and this will be their moment to shine, inspiring millions of people watching in their community, in the UK and worldwide.

In alphabetical order, our Torchbearers are: Bridget Stevenson, aged 67; Chris Basiurski, 33; Eileen Hobson, 61: Emily Gibbs, 26; Felix Allocca, 14; George Fielding, 17; Lydia Mantle, 28; Mario Pecante, 73; Mary Mangan, 47; Maurizio Stroppiana, 41, Michael De Giorgio, 55; Penny Midgley, 36; Samantha Timms, 47; Sureena Sharma, 19 and Zaiqing Yu, 60.

The Flame will blaze through our borough after being carried around the country for 70 days, as part of the final day's circular journey around the centre of London. Hammersmith and Fulham is the final daytime destination before evening celebrations begin in Westminster.

This will be the start of a memorable weekend, with the Games starting one day later. H & F will play host to Olympic volleyball at Earls Court, and the cycling road race will also pass through Fulham on July 28.

Highlighted on the Meet the Torchbearers website is Shepherd's Bush resident Chris Basiurski, who is chair of the Gay Football Supporters' Network, which set up over 20 years ago and has three elements - playing, supporting and campaigning against homophobia.

Chris, who says he is extremely excited about being part of London 2012, plays in a GFSN affiliated team (in the world’s only gay national league, here in the UK), helps arrange social functions, trips to games, international tournaments and promotes the cause.

He was recently invited to meet the Prime Minister at a reception in Downing Street to talk about diversity in sport. He was part of team that brought IGLFA World Championships to London in 2008 and he works with national and local media to promote the organisation’s message.

London 2012 says that in all, 7,300 of the final total of 8,000 torchbearers who will carry the Olympic Flame around the country have now been announced, with more names to follow over the next months.

For more information on the Olympics in Hammersmith & Fulham go here.

For details on the road race go here.

 

April 4, 2012