The Olympic torch for the 2012 London games will make its way through Caerphilly on its way to the UK capital next year.
Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced that the county borough has been selected as a host location for the Olympic Flame relay.
The torch will travel through Caerphilly County Borough on Saturday May 26 2012.
Council leader Allan Pritchard said: “I am thrilled that Caerphilly has been selected as a host location for the Olympic Flame relay on its journey to London.
“I am sure our residents will be fully involved, and will line the streets in their thousands, joining in the celebrations and sharing in the Olympic spirit when the torch makes its journey through Caerphilly in May.”
Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said: “We are thrilled to confirm that Caerphilly will act as a host location for the Olympic Flame.
“This is the UK’s moment to shine, and I want to encourage people from right across Caerphilly County Borough to start planning how they can be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational Torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to the start of the Olympic Games.”
The Olympic flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspiration Torchbearers, each of whom have a personal achievement or contribution to the local community.
One of these people is Caerphilly’s very own Anthony Palmer, who won an award for Community Coach of the Year in 2010.
Eleven-times gold winning Paralympic swimmer David Roberts said: “I am delighted to be part of the torch relay tour coming to Caerphilly as for me the torch embodies what the Olympics are and will give the people and local community a chance to see the torch and be a part of the London 2012 story and therefore Olympic history.”
Caerphilly is also playing a key role in the arts-focussed Cultural Olympiad in the run up to London 2012.
Huw Lewis AM, Welsh Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Minister, said: “It’s great to see Caerphilly Castle playing an important role as a beacon for Wales in the run up to London 2012.
“The Castle is also one of eight iconic sites helping to support community cultural and heritage initiatives across Wales through Cauldrons and Furnaces.”