2012 Olympic Torch relay dates announced

LONDON, May 18 (UPI) -- Olympic organizers in London said the Olympic Torch will arrive in the United Kingdom next May 18 to begin a 70-day relay to the start of the 2012 Games.

Officials said Wednesday the Olympic Torch relay will cover an estimated 8,000 miles around the United Kingdom. They also said the search has begun for "8,000 inspirational people" to participate in the relay.

The relay is to begin at Land's End in Cornwall on May 19, 2012, and conclude at the Summer Olympic opening ceremonies July 27, 2012, in London. The first 74 locations for the relay were announced Wednesday with additional sites to be determined.

"The Olympic Flame will shine a light right across every nation and region of the U.K. and showcase the very best of who we are and where we live," London organizing committee Chairman Sebastian Coe said in a release.

"The first locations on the route confirmed today give a flavor of the reach the Olympic Torch Relay will have around the U.K. and how extensive the opportunity for starting to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games will be."

Organizers said 2,012 torchbearers will be determined through a public nomination program, which they detail on the London 2012 Web site. Also included will be students participating in the Get Set Network program and "role models and outstanding members of the public" as chosen by the organizing committee.