Eurotunnel: Olympic Torch Relay at the Channel Tunnel

 
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Eurotunnel (Paris:GET) (LSE:GETS):

On July 18 2012, just a few days before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Olympic Torch Relay will arrive at the Channel Tunnel Terminal in Folkestone and will travel through the 9 km section of the Tunnel between Folkestone and Samphire Hoe at the foot of Shakespeare Cliff.

As part of the Olympic Torch Relay, which will cross the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, visiting the country's most iconic and prestigious locations, the Olympic Torch will travel underground from Eurotunnel's Folkestone Terminal to the 30 hectare nature reserve, constructed from the spoil extracted from below the Channel during construction, and which is now a haven of biodiversity, at Samphire Hoe.

At Samphire Hoe, which hosts 110,000 visitors every year, there will be community events organized1 throughout the day to provide an opportunity for the public to come and share the excitement and see the Torch as it is carried on the nature trails around the Hoe by the torchbearers.

Jacques Gounon, Chairman and Chief Executive of Eurotunnel, stated: "I am delighted that the organisers of the Olympic Torch Relay have chosen the Channel Tunnel as one of the emblematic sites that the Torch will visit. The Channel Tunnel was recognised as a vital link between people and nominated as the Engineering feat of the last century and one of the seven wonders of the modern world. To see the Olympic Torch here is a great honour and we look forward to an exciting event."

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, added: "Today we bring the Olympic Torch Relay to life. The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets. Now that people know the route the Olympic Flame will be carried along and the Torchbearers for their community, they can start planning how they might celebrate and make it their moment to shine."

Notes to editors

www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay, gives street-by-street details and proposed start times for when the Olympic Flame will travel through Folkestone and on towards Dover. Residents living in and around the area can find out when it will be travelling along their nearest high street, through their town square or past their local village shop.

The Torchbearers confirmed to carry the Flame at the Channel Tunnel today include those that were successful through the public nomination processes run by LOCOG and the Presenting Partners, Coca Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. LOCOG has endeavoured to slot all community Torchbearers within an hour of their nomination address so family and friends can cheer them on. Each Torchbearer will wear a white and gold uniform which been designed by adidas.

An average of 115 Torchbearers a day will carry the Olympic Flame during its 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

LOCOG has worked closely with representatives from a number of sectors in each Nation and Region of the UK to devise the route and is taking the Olympic Flame to within ten miles of over 95% of the population.

Schools across the UK can now access free learning resources linked to the Olympic Torch Relay through Get Set (london2012.com/getset), the official London 2012 education programme. The activities are designed to help schools and colleges make the most of the Relay by lining the route, and cheering on their local Torchbearers. Resources include ideas for making Flame hats and shakers to welcome the Flame, an assembly presentation to get the school behind a Torchbearer and a film showing one Get Set network school's preparations for the Relay.

About your organisation

Eurotunnel holds the concession to operate the Channel Tunnel until 2086. Alongside the operation of Passenger and Freight Shuttles, Eurotunnel also gives passage to high speed passenger trains and rail freight trains run by other operators.

Eurotunnel has a rail freight subsidiary, Europorte which provides a full range of rail services to the logistics industry as Europorte (in France) and GB Railfreight (in the UK).

As the longest standing Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola will be using its heritage and experience to spread excitement across the UK ahead of London 2012. Coca-Cola's national nomination campaign - Future Flames - has focused on finding inspirational young people from across the country to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame. This summer Coca-Cola will celebrate these Future Flames: young people who use their passions in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance, and community and the environment; to spread happiness in their local communities. Find out more at: www.coca-cola.co.uk/olympic-games

As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB will be taking the spirit and inspiration of the Olympic Flame right to the heart of communities across the UK. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland will be the National Presenting Partner in Scotland. Schools can be right at the heart of the celebrations through our Flame Followers programme, giving them access to free resources to get their pupils inspired and excited about the Olympic Torch Relay (schools can register at www.lloydstsb.com/flamefollowers). Customers can be the first to hear how they can follow the Olympic Flame, through our customer-exclusive programme Trackside. Find out more at www.lloydstsb.com/london2012

As a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung aims to encourage everyone to be part of the London 2012 Torch Relay to make London 2012 'Everyone's Olympic Games.' We aspire to offer new and memorable experiences for everyone around the world. Samsung is providing 1,360 Torchbearers, who have "gone the extra mile" by contributing to the local communities, through its worldwide public nomination campaign. Samsung will support towns and cities to celebrate the exciting moment of the Torch Relay and help showcase Great Britain's cultural landmarks to provide a more enjoyable experience to everyone. The evening celebrations that will be staged in 66 towns and cities throughout the Olympic Flame's journey across the UK, will allow Samsung to entertain the community they are visiting. The Samsung caravan, complete with LED screen on the side showcasing runners and goodwill messages, will travel with Torchbearers around the UK cheering up everyone to celebrate the Torch Relay with music and interaction with local communities. It is Samsung's ambition that London 2012 will be an event that reaches and involves more people than on any other Olympic Games occasion. To learn more about Samsung's London 2012 Olympic programme, please visit www.samsung.com/london2012.

1 More information about the events will be published nearer the time.

EurotunnelCatherine Cleall-Harding: 01303 [e-mail]