Final preparations are being made for its arrival next Wednesday (June 6) with big crowds expected for its tour around Dublin, when among the Torch bearers will be Paul McGrath, the former Manchester United and Aston Villa defender, jockey Ruby Walsh and Ronnie Delany, the 1956 Olympic 1500 metres champion.

It will be a proud moment for Hickey, who has been negotiating for the Torch to visit Dublin for several years, a decision that required special permission from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after they banned it travelling internationally following the protests that marked the Beijing relay four years ago.

"When I first concieved the idea I spoke with the IOC President [Jacques Rogge] who was favourably disposed but he said to me that IOC would have to get a request from London 2012 for it to happen," Hickey told insidethegames.  

"This is when I started on my journey with Seb, throughout the three years of negotiation he has been a stalwart. 

"From day one he thought it was a great idea especially due to the fact that we are celebrating 15 years of peace in Northern Ireland and what a great way to acknowledge this by the torch travelling down to the South of Ireland and of course the Torch being the symbol of peace.

"I then had to negotiate with the British Government, the Irish Government the London Metropolitan Police, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and our own Police Force, the Gardai. 

"Then I had to speak to all the politicians in Ireland north and south of the border and the Irish and British Government and at all times Seb was behind me 100 per cent and I have no doubt that it was because of him and the high regard the British Government have for him that we were successful with the negotiations.

"This is why I made a conscious effort to travel to Athens for the handover of the Torch to show my appreciation to Seb and to London 2012."

A symbolic route is planned for the Torch, including at the handover outside Newry, at the border on the old Dublin/Newry road at 6.30am.

There, a short ceremony will see the handover of the Torch between Irish Olympic boxing legends Wayne McCullough (pictured right), from Belfast, and Michael Carruth (pictured left), from Dublin, to recognise the significance of the occasion.

"We have a fantastic day planned for the Torch Relay in Dublin after it crosses the border it will go to the National Olympic Committee Headquarters in Dublin where it will be received by the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins," said Hickey.

"Then it will follow the footsteps of the Queen's hughely successful visit to Ireland last year starting off in Croke Park the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association and then it will go to the Garden of Remembrance where the Queen laid a wreath during her visit, then it will meander around Dublin and it will visit the Taoiseach [Prime Minister] at Government Buildings and it will end up with a big party in the centre of Dublin in St. Stephens Green.

"We are expecting a huge turn out."

Hickey also paid special tribute to fellow IOC member, Sir Craig Reedie.

"Craig also gave us fantastic assistance by lobbying with the IOC.

"It's also unique that Craig's wife Rosemary comes from Belfast and her and Craig will travel with me from the border down to Dublin and it is expected that we will be joined by Seb also," said Hickey.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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