Paralympic Torch visits Swansea

Aug. 17, 2012 - PRLog -- THE Olympic Games may be over but the countdown to the Paralympics is now well underway and set to pick up where the Olympic games left off.

And Swansea is playing host to a special visit by the Paralympics torch ahead of the Games which begin on August 29.

A Paralympic flame is being lit in Cardiff on August 27 and that will be followed by a torch relay on Tuesday 28 August in Swansea.  It will visit the Civic Centre, Dunvant Rugby Club, the Wales National Pool and will end with a torch relay at 4pm from Princess Way to the LC.

Lord Mayor of Swansea Councillor Dennis James is urging as many people as possible to be part of the crowd cheering on torchbearers who will be carrying the Paralympic flame along Princess Way to the LC from 4pm on August 28.

He said: “The Olympic Games has been a truly inspirational event for the whole of the UK and we hope that Swansea enjoys its own piece of the leagacy. Its now the turn of the Paralympics, which I am sure will be just as successful.

“The torch relay on August 28 will be our city’s opportunity to recognise and support the spirit and enthusiasm of the athletes from our city who will be participating in the 2012 Paralympic Games.”

Swansea-based Paralympians like Ellie Simmonds and Paul Karabadak are both medal winning prospects   On top of that the city is currently hosting two Paralympic teams from New Zealand and Mexico, so there is a real feel good factor about sport in Swansea.

Although the Paralympic athletes won’t be able to take part in the torch relay because they’ll be in training for the Games, the event is an opportunity to line Princess Way from the top to the LC at the end on the day and “be part of it.”

Apart from Princess Way, the Paralympic Torch will also be visiting community events during the day in Dunvant, the Wales National Pool and the LC.

Whilst the Paralympic Torch event will differ to the Olympic Torch Relay that visited Swansea in May, it is still expected  to build on the huge excitement generated by the UK-wide procession that attracted 60,000 people to the city centre.

The first Paralympic Torch will be lit in London on August 24 followed by further lighting-up ceremonies in Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff in the succeeding days.

To find out more go to www.swanseabepartofit.co.uk