Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
The Olympic Torch comes to Leeds
Students and staff from Leeds Met proudly carried the Olympic torch through Leeds today.
The torch was designed by our interior design graduate, Edward Barber, who is the co-founder of London-based design agency BarberOsgerby. The torch is perforated with 8,000 holes which represents the number of runners carrying the torch and its three-sided design symbolises the three times Britain has hosted the Games. As well as receiving wide public acclaim, the torch received this year's Design Museum: Design of the Year award.
Local street celebrations took place along the Olympic Torch route as it travelled on its 70-day journey through the UK before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games. A trio of Torchbearers from our University were chosen to carry the torch through Leeds, as part of Samsung's nomination programme for the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Paul Smith, Students' Union President Yasser Ranjha and Athletic Union President Lewis Wildridge all carried the Olympic Flame through Leeds on the morning of 25 June.
Yasser Ranjha kicked off the day carrying the Torch through the City Centre after it left Leeds Town Hall at07:17 before Paul carried the Torch through Beeston and then handed over to Lewis, who ran through a packed Morley.
Speaking after the relay Athletic Union President Lewis Wildridge said: ""This morning has been absolutely awe inspiring, it's been unbelievable to see the turnout and see how proud the people of Morley were to have the torch pass their town. It is an honour that I'll never ever forget and I cannot wait for the Games to begin, the torch relay has really sparked the excitement of London 2012."
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr Paul Smith added: "Once the crowd started clapping and cheering all you could do was smile and wave. It was a fantastic experience and an absolute honour to participate as a representative for Leeds Metropolitan."
The Olympic torch visited Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Sunday where 100 of our students and alumni had the opportunity to be part of the Olympic celebrations as a Guard of Honour to escort the Torchbearer to the centre of the cricket pitch.
84of our students are currently in London on a 13-week internship at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The students who will be working alongside students from partner institutions in Australia and the United States are based in the Olympic Workers' Village and will gain an accredited Institute for Leadership and Management qualification as part of their internship. You can read all about their experience on their blog.