London: British Prime Minister David Cameron and other elected officials have been banned from running with the London 2012 Olympic torch relay when it embarks on a 70-day journey across the nation from May 18.
Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson would not be allowed to take part in the journey by road, boat, balloon, sidecar, helicopter, and white water rapids, due to International Olympic Committee`s strict rule that has been formulated to prevent the torch relay from descending into political grandstanding.
London 2012 executives have, however, reserved a small portion of relay spots for high profile sportspeople and celebrities, names of which are still to be determined, the Telegraph reports.
According to the report, the torch will visit local government areas, including remote towns and islands such as Shetland, Orkney, the Isle of Lewis, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
The Met Police has a specialist team of 49 officers dedicated to protecting the Olympic torch and the torchbearers throughout the route.
Organisers have also revealed that the torch will not be continuously passed between torch bearers, as has been the custom at previous Olympic torch relays.
Instead runners will carry the London 2012 torch through various towns and the flame will then be put in the back of a truck in a lantern, quaintly known as The Mother Flame, and moved by vehicle convoy onto the next town.
ANI
