Olympics celebrations in Sheffield

                                                       (Taken from Google Images)
By Danielle Tucker 

For years people have known about Sheffield's sporting Potential, but it seems finally the Northern City will become known on the International Map.

The London 2012 Olympic games are set to make a big impact nationwide, and Sheffield isn’t missing out on taking part in the games as the whole country prepares to celebrate the event.

The Route for Sheffield?

The Olympic relay torch will come through to streets of Sheffield on its 8,000 mile journey that ends in London, and local sporting inspirations have been chosen to carry the torch through the city. Members of the public in Sheffield will come together to cheer on the torch as it makes various stops through the city on its journey through the country. 

The torch will arrive in Sheffield on Monday 25^th June after its planned journey through Barnsley. The route will then go through Chapletown, Ecclesfield, Hillsborough and Ecclesall before going through Barkers Pool, where special celebrations will be held. This will include a show, which is free for spectators to watch and is one of the 66 evening celebrations on the Olympic Flame's journey across the UK. On its journey it will be carried past key points in Sheffiled including Don Valley stadium and Sheffield's Children's Hospital. 

Matthew Greening from Hillsborough said he’ll be out on the streets ready to watch the torch pass through the city. “I love watching the Olympics, so to watch the torch pass through my home town will be a wonderful moment. I’ll be very proud.”

So who are some of the chosen few to carry the torches through the city?

Stephen Birkby, who plays for the wheelchair basket ball team Sheffield Steelers has been chosen to carry the torch and said he cannot wait for the people of Sheffield to be able to watch and experience it together.  He also believes that this choice is sending a positive message to future sporting stars: “Having the Paralympics in Britain is wonderful for disabled sport, and I hope that bringing all that talent to the country inspires more young disabled people to take part in sport.”

Another young sporting inspiration to carry the torch, chosen by the council’s Executive Director of Place Simon Green, is Carys Hall, from the Sheffield Academy of Young Leaders. Simon nominated Carys for volunteering at a number of sporting events over the last few years and helping out with mentoring younger people.

“It will be amazing to be an Olympic torchbearer, and one of my other ambitions is to volunteer at the Olympic Games themselves.” She said.

Olympic Games Organiser Lord Sebastian Coe, who hails from Sheffield, will also carry the torch through part of the city. He said, "Sheffield was where all my athletics really happened, so that would be the obvious place to be involved."

                                                (Image taken from mirror.co.uk)

A range of sporting figures who have connections to Sheffield have been nominated to participate in the carrying of the torch through the city. Local residents have said they believe this a fitting way to celebrate the city's sporting achievements. 

Marjorie Peters from Handsworth said she will be travelling into the city centre near Ecclesall to watch the torch bearers. "Its such an exciting time for me, I've lived in Sheffield my whole life, and nothing quite like this has happened to the city."

Recognition for Sheffield?

Around 115 Torchbearers a day will carry the Olympic Flame during its journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium in London on 27 July 2012 and the torch will arrive on the streets of Sheffield on Monday 25 June 2012.

Sheffield City Council Leader Julie Dore has said that the torch coming to Sheffield will firmly put the city on the sporting map both nationally and internationally. “The impact of the 2012 Olympic Games extends well beyond London, and Sheffield has been a perfect example of a city that has grasped every opportunity with both hands. We also want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to some truly inspirational local people who will be carrying the torch along its journey.”

A number of community events will also take place during this time, with public events being held at Devonshire Green, the Peace Gardens and Tudor Square.

Councillor Dore said, “The impact of the 2012 Olympic Games extends well beyond London, and Sheffield has been a perfect example of a city that has grasped every opportunity with both hands.”

                                              Olympic Celebrations in London





When and where?

The Planned route through Sheffield...

Monday 25^th June

16.45	Arrives in Chapletown – through Chapletown Cowley Hill and then Ecclesfield Road.
17.05	Arrives in Ecclesfield – through Ecclesfield Road, Church Street, Stocks Hills, Yew Lane, Chaucer Road and Chaucer Close.
Break	Relay team will board a bus and the torch will not be visible to the public at the point.
17.40	Arrives in Hillsborough - through Leppings Lane, Parkside Road, Hillsborough Park, Parkside Road, Penistone Road North, Hoyle Street, Brook Hill, Clarkson Street, Glossop Road, Clarkehouse Road and Brocco Bank.
18.40	Arrives In Ecclesall -  through Ecclesall Road, St Marys Gate, Eyre Street, Arundel Gate, Norfolk Street, Surrey Street and Leopold Street.
17.30 – 20.00	Evening celebrations in Barkers Pool from Leopold Street.

Tuesday 26^th June

7.30	Torch starts from Attercliffe – through Don Valley Stadium, Leeds Road, Worksop Road, Attercliffe Road, Attercliffe Common, Con Valley Bowl, Terry Street, Attercliffe Common and Sheffield Road.
8.00	Departs Sheffield.

Have Your Say...
What will you be doing to get involved in celebrations? Comment Below.