The Olympic Torch Relay will be a 70-day celebration, starting at Land's End on May 19, 2012, travelling thousands of miles and bringing the spirit and inspiration of the Games to hundreds of communities across the UK.

To mark the beginning of an Olympic Torch tour of more than 70 communities across the UK, members of the public are invited to nominate somebody who has made a difference in their local community and inspired others for the once in a lifetime opportunity to be a London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer.

To help inspire others to nominate, four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy has made public his own nominations.

The first for an unsung hero from British Cycling, Geoff Cooke, whose competitive career spans six decades and who was the national coach for ten years.

The second is for 94-year-old Andy Coogan, a World War Two veteran and former champion middle-distance runner from Carnoustie, Scotland, who missed the chance to fulfil his athletics potential because of the war, but who still supports and coaches runners today.

One of Britain's most successful swimmers Mark Foster also shared his nomination at the launch for Lloyds TSB, who, along with Olympic worldwide sponsors Coca-Cola and Samsung, are Presenting Partners of the Torch Relay. 

Reminiscing about who inspired him to become a swimmer, Foster nominated the swimming instructor Anne Hardcastle, who spotted his talent when he was just five-years-old.


Cooke (pictured above right), who is delighted to have been nominated by Sir Chris and excited about the chance to be a part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, said: "I was overwhelmed to have been nominated by Sir Chris Hoy.

"We met at the Manchester Cycling Centre again recently and had the chance to handle the 1948 Olympic Torch.

"The thought of being part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay is so exciting and I'm truly honoured to have been nominated to participate.

"I shall be keeping my fingers crossed that I am selected to be a London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer when the announcement is made later this year."

Nominations can be made online here until September 12, 2011.

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