Olympic Torch Designers Appointed by LOCOG

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) have announced that a London-based design studio has been appointed to design the Olympic and Paralympic Torches.

The torch, which will be used for the 70-day Olympic Torch Relay, when 8,000 Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame across the UK ahead of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, with designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby having been chosen to design the Torch.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “The Olympic Flame will literally shine a light on inspiring people, places and 2012 Games projects and programmes right across the UK as communities begin their Olympic celebrations with the Torch Relay.

“95 per cent of the UK population will be within a one hour journey time of the Olympic Torch Relay and we are now developing the Torch which will be one of the key visual icons of the London Olympic Games.”

Based in Hackney, less than four miles from the Olympic Park, the designers were selected by LOCOG and the Design Council after a competitive tender process last year.

They are also working on design aspects for the Paralympic Torch Relay that will take place between the close of the Olympic Games and the start of the Paralympic Games in August 2012.