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| London 2012: Bearers charged to own Olympic relay torch | London 2012: Bearers charged to own Olympic relay torch |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| By Helen Bushby & Stuart Hughes BBC 2012/BBC News | By Helen Bushby & Stuart Hughes BBC 2012/BBC News |
| Olympic torchbearers will have to pay if they want the ultimate souvenir of the relay - their own torch. | Olympic torchbearers will have to pay if they want the ultimate souvenir of the relay - their own torch. |
| From 20 March until 1 May, it will cost bearers £199 to buy a torch from Games organisers Locog, and during the relay the cost rises to £215. | From 20 March until 1 May, it will cost bearers £199 to buy a torch from Games organisers Locog, and during the relay the cost rises to £215. |
| Some torchbearers have told the BBC they thought the price for a torch was "an awful lot of money". | Some torchbearers have told the BBC they thought the price for a torch was "an awful lot of money". |
| But Locog defended the cost, saying a torch costs £495 to make, and it was subsidising the price. | But Locog defended the cost, saying a torch costs £495 to make, and it was subsidising the price. |
| Thomas Read, who will carry the torch in Dartmouth, told the BBC: "I will need to think long and hard about whether or not to buy the torch. It would be a great souvenir from the day, but £200 is an awful lot of money to have to pay for it." | Thomas Read, who will carry the torch in Dartmouth, told the BBC: "I will need to think long and hard about whether or not to buy the torch. It would be a great souvenir from the day, but £200 is an awful lot of money to have to pay for it." |
| He added that although he was still "really excited" to be a torchbearer, it was a "shame" that "people are faced with such a dilemma". | He added that although he was still "really excited" to be a torchbearer, it was a "shame" that "people are faced with such a dilemma". |
| "I'm sure not everyone will be able to afford it - a fact seems to go against the Olympic spirit. Surely it shouldn't come down to someone's financial circumstances?" he added. | "I'm sure not everyone will be able to afford it - a fact seems to go against the Olympic spirit. Surely it shouldn't come down to someone's financial circumstances?" he added. |
| Damien Davis, who will carry the torch through Ludgershall in Wiltshire said young people would struggle to find the money. | Damien Davis, who will carry the torch through Ludgershall in Wiltshire said young people would struggle to find the money. |
| "Locog have made a lot of fuss about 50% of the torchbearers being aged between 12 and 24. How are these youngsters supposed to afford £200 to keep their torch?" he said. | "Locog have made a lot of fuss about 50% of the torchbearers being aged between 12 and 24. How are these youngsters supposed to afford £200 to keep their torch?" he said. |
| "Why should anyone who can't afford to buy it be excluded?" | "Why should anyone who can't afford to buy it be excluded?" |
| But Abul Kasam [pictured at the top of the story] tweeted about the cost: "Shame we have to pay for it. But what a great talking point for life." | But Abul Kasam [pictured at the top of the story] tweeted about the cost: "Shame we have to pay for it. But what a great talking point for life." |
| 'High specification' | 'High specification' |
| Locog defended its decision to charge for the torches, describing them as "good value." | Locog defended its decision to charge for the torches, describing them as "good value." |
| "We believe that this sale offers good value for a best-of-British designed, engineered and manufactured limited edition product," they said. | "We believe that this sale offers good value for a best-of-British designed, engineered and manufactured limited edition product," they said. |
| "Despite the high design specification of the torch, Locog wanted to make sure that torches were affordable for all of the 8,000 torchbearers." | "Despite the high design specification of the torch, Locog wanted to make sure that torches were affordable for all of the 8,000 torchbearers." |
| Locog aim to sell torchbearers the actual torch they ran with, once the gas canister has been removed and the burner system disabled. | Locog aim to sell torchbearers the actual torch they ran with, once the gas canister has been removed and the burner system disabled. |
| The Olympic organiser added it is "common practice" for Games organisers to offer torches to torchbearers for purchase. | The Olympic organiser added it is "common practice" for Games organisers to offer torches to torchbearers for purchase. |
| One, Justin Williamson, from Purley, Texas, in the US, carried the torch during the Salt Lake City 2002 relay ahead of the winter Olympics, after being nominated for voluntary work at a local hospital. | One, Justin Williamson, from Purley, Texas, in the US, carried the torch during the Salt Lake City 2002 relay ahead of the winter Olympics, after being nominated for voluntary work at a local hospital. |
| He told the BBC he bought the torch for US$300 (£189), including the uniform. | He told the BBC he bought the torch for US$300 (£189), including the uniform. |
| "It was a little pricey, but I have a great memento to share with my kids now," he said. | "It was a little pricey, but I have a great memento to share with my kids now," he said. |
| Another commented on this story: "In Canada, the Vancouver 2010 torches were sold under the same conditions for $350 (£223). The uptake was high and they were being sold on eBay for over $1000. | Another commented on this story: "In Canada, the Vancouver 2010 torches were sold under the same conditions for $350 (£223). The uptake was high and they were being sold on eBay for over $1000. |
| "Overall, it is a cheap souvenir and you can probably get your money back if you want." | "Overall, it is a cheap souvenir and you can probably get your money back if you want." |
| Frank Verge, who carried the 1948 Olympic torch, told the BBC that he, along with all the other torchbearers, was allowed to keep his torch for free. | Frank Verge, who carried the 1948 Olympic torch, told the BBC that he, along with all the other torchbearers, was allowed to keep his torch for free. |
| A total of 1,688 were made for the relay, although he added that he thought "the design for the 1948 torches was much simpler than those of today". | A total of 1,688 were made for the relay, although he added that he thought "the design for the 1948 torches was much simpler than those of today". |
| The Olympic flame arrives in the UK on 18 May and begins its 70-day journey at Land's End the following day. | The Olympic flame arrives in the UK on 18 May and begins its 70-day journey at Land's End the following day. |
| Locog allocated 33% (2,640) of the 8,000 torchbearers' places and said it was only able to extend the opportunity to buy the torch to that particular group. | Locog allocated 33% (2,640) of the 8,000 torchbearers' places and said it was only able to extend the opportunity to buy the torch to that particular group. |
| The Games' presenting partners, Lloyds TSB, Samsung and Coca Cola, were each able to allocate 17% (1,360) of the places while 16% of the places went to other core stakeholders, such as the British Olympic Association, International Olympic Association and Games partners. | The Games' presenting partners, Lloyds TSB, Samsung and Coca Cola, were each able to allocate 17% (1,360) of the places while 16% of the places went to other core stakeholders, such as the British Olympic Association, International Olympic Association and Games partners. |
| Coca-Cola announced they would pay for their torchbearers' torches, and said: "We are immensely proud to be celebrating over 1,300 inspirational people, our Future Flames, by giving them the incredible opportunity to run with the Olympic flame this summer. | Coca-Cola announced they would pay for their torchbearers' torches, and said: "We are immensely proud to be celebrating over 1,300 inspirational people, our Future Flames, by giving them the incredible opportunity to run with the Olympic flame this summer. |
| "We want to ensure that all of the torchbearers selected by Coca-Cola have a memento of this once in a lifetime experience, which is why we are gifting them their very own London 2012 Olympic torch." | "We want to ensure that all of the torchbearers selected by Coca-Cola have a memento of this once in a lifetime experience, which is why we are gifting them their very own London 2012 Olympic torch." |
| Lloyds TSB and Samsung have not yet revealed whether they will charge for their torches, and if so how much. | |
| Details of the exact route were announced on Monday, along with the names of the majority of the 8,000 people who will carry the flame on its 8,000 mile journey. | Details of the exact route were announced on Monday, along with the names of the majority of the 8,000 people who will carry the flame on its 8,000 mile journey. |
| Bearers were chosen on the basis of having a story of personal achievement or contribution to the local community. | Bearers were chosen on the basis of having a story of personal achievement or contribution to the local community. |
| 'Cake sale' | 'Cake sale' |
| Anyone who orders a torch but is unable to take part in the relay will be offered a full refund. "You will not be able to receive a torch," said Locog on their website. | Anyone who orders a torch but is unable to take part in the relay will be offered a full refund. "You will not be able to receive a torch," said Locog on their website. |
| The Olympic organisers suggested that anyone finding cost a factor in buying a torch should consider fundraising in their community, with a "cake sale" or "sponsored swim" as possible ideas. | The Olympic organisers suggested that anyone finding cost a factor in buying a torch should consider fundraising in their community, with a "cake sale" or "sponsored swim" as possible ideas. |
| "In past torch relays, some torchbearers have worked with friends, family, and the person who nominated them, their local community or a local school to raise money to buy a torch," they said. | "In past torch relays, some torchbearers have worked with friends, family, and the person who nominated them, their local community or a local school to raise money to buy a torch," they said. |
| Payments by card are accepted only on Visa although cheques, cash, postal order or bankers draft are also acceptable. | Payments by card are accepted only on Visa although cheques, cash, postal order or bankers draft are also acceptable. |
| Torchbearer merchandise is also available, including a torch stand (£39), pin badge (£7), commemorative book (£19.99) and t-shirt (£21). | Torchbearer merchandise is also available, including a torch stand (£39), pin badge (£7), commemorative book (£19.99) and t-shirt (£21). |