Olympic flame sparks excitement

Last week's announcement of the route the Olympic torch will take in the run-up to the 2012 London Games has created excitement all over the U.K - and Sutton is no exception.

The torch - to be carried by a total of 8000 torchbearers - will come through Birmingham on Saturday June 30 next year, and Megan Evans, coach at Royal Sutton Coldfield Athletics Club, says the announcement will serve to increase anticipation of a great sporting summer.

"The aim is for the torch to visit different communities and cultures and draw people in to the Games," she explains. "It seems that this torch relay, with its 8,000 torch bearers from all areas of society, will truly start nationwide Olympic fever."

Evans also believes that the fact that the torch will be carried by such a diverse group of people - anyone can apply to carry the torch for a mile each -  will lead to a greater sense of involvement in the Games: "I think it's great that so many people will get to be torch bearers."

"I honestly expected for there to be about 100 torch bearers and for these 100 to be famous, existing athletes or retired athletes. So I was elated to hear that there will be 8,000 torch bearers."

The local area will host the Jamaican Olympic squad during their pre-Games training camp, but, if you're not quite as quick as Usain Bolt, there may still be a chance to see Olympic history on your doorstep.