British yachtsman first Olympic torch bearer
- 12 years ago
Triple Olympic gold winner Briton Ben Ainslie waits nervously for the Olympic torch on the south-west tip of England.
The British yachtsman was the first torch bearer on UK soil as the Olympic icon makes its way to London for the 2012 summer games.
The torch was airlifted in a helicopter to Land's End, Cornwall, after its special flight from Athens.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) OLYMPIC YACHTSMAN BEN AINSLIE, SAYING:
"It's amazing. For me, growing up in this part of the world, in Cornwall, for the Olympic Torch to set off from here around the nation, is a fantastic moment for the UK, for London 2012. Very exciting."
The torch will make an 18,000 kilometre journey around Britain in 70 days before it officially opens the international sporting event.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
The British yachtsman was the first torch bearer on UK soil as the Olympic icon makes its way to London for the 2012 summer games.
The torch was airlifted in a helicopter to Land's End, Cornwall, after its special flight from Athens.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) OLYMPIC YACHTSMAN BEN AINSLIE, SAYING:
"It's amazing. For me, growing up in this part of the world, in Cornwall, for the Olympic Torch to set off from here around the nation, is a fantastic moment for the UK, for London 2012. Very exciting."
The torch will make an 18,000 kilometre journey around Britain in 70 days before it officially opens the international sporting event.
Jessica Gray, Reuters