LONDON 2012 TORCH RELAY | SPONSORED BY COCA COLA

The news is now official – I am going to be carrying the Olympic Torch in the run up to London 2012 as one of the Torchbearers on the relay.

I had my confirmation last week but was asked by LOGOC to keep it quiet until the stuff about the relay was announced this morning at 7.30am – so I’ve been very good and didn’t tweet about it til at least 7.35am – thanks for all the replies!!  I’ve seen the stuff on the telly and news websites about it, there’s loads of details about the route, the people, the celebrations and even the clothing.

I’ve actually known since back in October or even earlier than that about my nomination, and I blogged about it when Coca Cola confirmed I’d been chosen back in December when I received my Olympic Flame pin, but there has always been this “you are not confirmed until the security checks are complete” thing in the back of my mind… not any more!

I am going to be carrying the flame on Wednesday 27th June in Lincoln (Bracebridge Heath), one month before the Games open in London. I still don’t know the exact location, but know that it will be in Lincoln (it could have been anywhere from Grimsby to Lincoln via Boston and Sleaford). The Torch will arrive in this area at 16:44 (very precise!!) and it looks like my leg will be one of the first few from then.

I’m really excited. And I feel pretty special right now.

Because I have been chosen through the scheme run by Coca Cola I’m enjoying the phrase “hi I’m Zoe, sponsored by Coca Cola” at the moment. Free Coke? I doubt it but it’s nice anyway. Coca Cola have sponsored around 1,500 of the 8,000 torchbearers so I’m one of a large number of people, but it still feels brilliant. I know to some people the torch relay is more of an inconvenience than anything else, hype about nothing, but I’ve always been a fan of the Olympics and was so disappointed when I couldn’t get tickets for anything (I’ve booked a motorbike holiday instead now!), but now I can say I am part of the London 2012 Games – and that is awesome.

Since I got my pin badge back in December there has been loads of talk about the reasons people have been picked to carry the torch. Coca Cola call us “Future Flames”. Those of us chosen by Coca Cola have a little community where people have been sharing their stories, and there are loads in the press and media today and will be right up until the London 2012 Olympics open in July. The stories are amazing and I’m very thankful to be a part of the group.

I have been thinking a lot about this whole thing – of course I have – especially about why a panel of judges picked me over loads of other amazing people to do this. A recent email said:

You have been selected, as a Coca-Cola Future Flame, because of your passion and ability to open happiness in others.

Wow. What an email to receive. I am totally humbled (and actually shed a tear like a silly girl when I got that).

This whole thing is hard to believe because I’m just me. I believe life is all about the journey and as such do my best to make the most of every opportunity, trying always to do the right thing and keep smiling. I was given this life to do something with, so that is my aim – taking part in challenges, trying different things, raising money for charity, learning all the time, and being as encouraging to others as I can. I’m nothing amazing and to have this given to me is something I will never forget.

It is a cliché, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I know it’s only 300m but being 1 in 8000 does make me feel kind of good. The day should be an awesome, I’m really looking forward to it.