Team Samsung ambassador Zara Phillips prepares to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay. Picture: David Parry/PA Wire

London 2012: Zara Phillips to carry Olympic Torch today

Sarah Shaffi, Olympics editor (news) Wednesday, May 23, 2012
9:18 AM

The Olympic Flame will be in royal hands today as Zara Phillips carries the Torch.

The Queen’s granddaughter will be the last torchbearer and will carry the Olympic Torch on her horse ToyTown. She will light the cauldron at Cheltenham Racecourse, where a celebration will take place to welcome the Flame.

Zara Phillips, whose mother The Princess Royal collected the Flame in Greece last week, has won world and European titles in equestrian.

Also carrying the Olympic Torch today are footballers Didier Drogba, who has just announced he is leaving Chelsea, and Josh McEachran.

On day five of the Torch relay the Flame will travel through places including Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon and Stroud before reaching Cheltenham, where it will be kept overnight.

Other torchbearers include George Stockton from Gloucestershire. The 18-year-old is profoundly deaf yet has always worked hard against the odds to compete alongside his hearing peers. He was selected to play for the County of Dorset under 16’s Football Team when he was 15 and has completed his Level 2 FA Coaching qualification alongside studying for a Sports Coaching Diploma.

Chloe Walker, 13, has cerebral palsy and makes the most of every experience she has. She has taken part in Playground2Podium programme and has participated in activities at a district and county level.

Firefighter Suzanne Enghed will be carrying the Flame instead of putting it out during her leg. The 22-year-old from Gloucestershire competed at the World Firefighter Games and the World’s Ultimate Firefighter during 2011.