Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that may come up between now and the torch arriving. If you still require an answer to something please get in touch with us on olympics@wigan.gov.uk
Can the route be changed?
No, not at this stage. Local transport and police planning is already taking place around the agreed route. The route has been devised after extensive consultation with representatives in each Nation and Region. Every local authority has been given the opportunity to put themselves forward.
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Can we put on entertainment at the start of the day and along the route to entertain crowds?
Yes, you can. Please remember that with any planned event you need local authority consent. However, please be mindful that the start of the Relay day is special and it would be good if it was not drowned out by the surrounding entertainment.
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Can we put on food and drink at the start of the day / along the route?
Yes, you can. Please be mindful of presenting partners - we would ask that you do not supply competing brands. It is a good idea to note who the sponsors are of The Games and stick to those brands
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How many Torchbearers have had their places confirmed?
7,600
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How was the route developed?
The route development was a two year consultation process including every nation and region and local authority across the UK. LOCOG also worked with national bodies on tourism, heritage, sport, education, culture, sustainability and diversity and inclusion.
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How were Torchbearers selected to carry the Flame?
London Oranising Committee for the Olympic Games has worked hard to ensure people are within an hour of their nomination postcode so friends and family can support them and celebrate their role.
Wherever possible we have offered a Torchbearer a place to carry the Olympic Flame within an hour’s journey time of the postcode at which they were nominated. There will be instances where people are not carrying the Flame in their home town as the Relay is not going everywhere and we are trying to offer people a place no more than an hour away.
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If we want to carry out community events to support the Torch Relay Day, are there any Olympic Brand guidelines we need to follow?
There are reasonably strict official guidelines for the use of the Olympic branding. These guidelines have been issued by the national LOCOG group, not by Wigan Council and are mainly aimed at stopping businesses taking commercial advantage of linking themselves to the Olympic & Paralympic Games.
For example, You are not allowed to link a business to the Olympics e.g. “Jim’s Butchers sponsors the Olympic Games”. This is because the three major sponsors, Coca Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung have spent significant sums of money and we need to protect their sponsorship.
However, there is very little the community in general can’t do, LOCOG and Wigan Council obviously want everyone to get as involved as much as possible. Some ideas of what you can do include:
Make your own banners, flags, medals, torches etc. with Olympic and Paralympic messages. These can be images of sports, art, heritage, culture, and the environment. Put up Union Jack bunting or other type of bunting on your own houses.
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What advice can you give to the public who want to get the best view possible?
Standing on the left hand side of the street the Flame is being carried along will mean you are, generally, nearer to the Torchbearers and therefore get the best view of the action. The Presenting Partner vehicles will hand out Torch Relay keepsakes from the left hand side of the vehicles. Generally, there won’t be any barriers between the pavement and the road (unless they already exist). This should help members of the public to get a good view.
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What are you doing to ensure that disruption to the public is minimised wherever possible during the relay?
Safety and security are our top priorities and we will be working closely with all relevant national and local agencies. This is an event that we want people to come and be part of, our planning is designed to keep possible disruption to a minimum.
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What is the inspiration behind the Torchbearer uniform?
The primary colour of the uniform is white with gold shards accenting the energy of the Olympic Flame at the shoulder and neckline. Multiple gold shards are used at the elbow to focus the eye on the arm, with a final shard continuing down to the cuff and the hand holding the Torch. Each time the Olympic Flame is exchanged between two Torchbearers, the gold shard motifs on the uniforms connect the Torchbearers visually as the lines link together. The design is youthful yet classic and clearly distinguishes the wearer whilst instilling a sense of pride
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Who is responsible for ensuring the security and sooth running of the Relay?
LOCOG and MPS who are responsible for providing security to the Olympic Flame and Torchbearer will work in partnership every step of the way with the local police forces, the Local Authorities and the Presenting Partners of the Torch Relays.
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Will all Torchbearers - including the high profile ones - wear the same uniform?
All Torchbearers in the Olympic Torch Relay will wear the same uniform.
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Will roads be closed for the purpose of the Relay?
No roads will be closed for the Torch Relay. There will inevitably be delays for road users as the route crosses the East Lancs A580 as well as Wigan and Hindley town centres at peak times. The emergency services will be operating as normal and we have worked closely with them, and with local businesses to ensure people are aware of the events of the afternoon.
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Will the public be able to see the Flame when it is in convoy mode?
When the Flame is travelling in convoy mode e.g. being driven between communities, the Flame will not be visible to the public
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You said there were 8,000 places - why have only 7,600 been announced?
The remaining Torchbearers will be confirmed over the coming months and a small number may not have consented to publicity.
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