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04/04/2008: Wembley welcomes the Olympic Flame

Brent will once again help make Olympic history on Sunday 6 April when it welcomes the Olympic Flame back to the borough on its epic round the world journey to Beijing.

 

The official opening ceremony of the London leg of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay will be held in Wembley Arena Square (outside Wembley Arena and in the shadow of Wembley Stadium) and feature cultural performances from Brent's diverse communities and the official welcome of the Olympic Flame by Brent's Mayor, Cllr Harshadbhai Patel.

 

The ticketed event kicks off at 9.30am and ends at 11am. All tickets are now allocated to local residents and young people of Brent. 16 years old student Cheyenne Green from Brent, will also make history at Wembley as the Beijing Olympic torch is shown for the first time in public in the UK.

 

As one of 80 torch bearers taking part in the relay, Cheyenne will receive the torch from Sir Steve Redgrave and carry the torch from Wembley to its next leg and was chosen from thousands of young hopefuls by the Greater London Authority.

 

Mayor of Brent, Cllr Harshadbhai Patel, said: "Brent already has a rich and outstanding Olympic heritage - the borough hosted the 1948 Games with the opening ceremony taking place at Wembley. With Wembley Stadium scheduled to be an Olympic venue in 2012, this event has special significance for us and it is symbolic that the London leg of the relay is starting at Wembley".

 

Young people from Brent schools will play a vital role in making it a memorable celebration by lining the route with colourful flags (which they have made) and cheering the torch bearers and the convoy along as they pass.

 

Residents are also invited to line the route out of Wembley along Empire Way, Wembley Triangle and Harrow Road, wearing or carrying red, white and silver flags - signature colours of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. Harlesden will also show off its musical heritage with a range of dancing, drumming and steel bands as the torch makes its way out of Brent.