Tour Miss has helped win a vote for common sense with the 2012 London Olympic torch relay route changed to incorporate the West Beach at St. Andrews and Swilcan Bridge on the nearby Old Course.
A map of the intended route of the Torch Relay as handed to Tour Miss yesterday. Note the 'Chariots of Fire' West Beach and Swilcan Bridge excluded from the route.
Tour Miss yesterday complained saying organisers of the relay should have incorporated the venue in the opening scene from ‘Chariots of Fire’ and also the 700-year Swilcan Bridge.
Similar messages had been posted on various St. Andrews websites singling out organisers for their short-sightedness given golf has been added to the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
However when Tour Miss visited the St. Andrews Town Hall and St. Andrews Tourism office yesterday afternoon she was informed that changes to the planned route could not be changed given the tight schedule for the relay.
Naturally, Tour Miss expressed her dissatisfaction with the stubbonness on the part of organisers.
So imagine the surprise with the West Beach and Swilcan Bridge added to the torch relay route this morning. Unfortunately, the late change to incorporate the two locations came too late for a great many golf interested people who no doubt stayed away from this mornings Olympic celebration.
Nevertheless, congratulations from Tour Miss to organisers for recognising, although far too late, the importance of incorporating the West Beach and the Swilcan Bridge in the torch relay.
It was 65-year old Louise Martin from Dunblane who carried the torch across the Swilcan Bridge
Martin said: “Now that it’s over, it’s quite surreal. I can’t believe I’ve actually done it. It’s churning inside, just the pleasure and what it meant to me.
“Words can’t explain how I feel to have just done what I’ve done with the Olympic Flame in my hand.”
The sight everyone expected to see with the Olympic Torch coming to St. Andrews - at the famed Swilcan Bridge.
Thirteen year old Joseph Forrester, 13, ran with the flame along the West Sands.
He was followed by 20 pupils from Madras Primary School. Joseph is a member of Fife Athletics Club and dreams of running for Team GB in long-distance events.
He said: “I was kind of nervous before it because there’s loads of people here but I’m all right now.
“I’d love to compete in the Olympics one day.”
