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The Olympic torch relay—immortalized through Instagram

From Greece to London, view the Olympic Torch relay through the tinted lens of Instagram. 

 

Kris Holt

Internet Culture

Posted on Jul 27, 2012   Updated on Jun 2, 2021, 1:49 pm CDT

Before the Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony Friday, the Olympic Torch was carried around the U.K. Thanks to Instagram, we’ve been able to track the flame the whole way.

The Olympic Torch was lit on May 10 in Olympia, Greece. During the 70-day relay, it’s been carefully flown to the U.K., where it’s been carried all over Great Britain by a succession of runners ranging from school kids to rappers.

After being transported from Greece and flown by naval helicopter to the starting point, the relay got under way at Land’s End, the most southerly point on the U.K. mainland. Three-time Olympic champion sailor Ben Ainslie was the first of 8,000 torchbearers in the country.

Photo by travmonkey

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The first leg of the journey took the torch around the coast of Wales and to Liverpool, before hitting the Isle of Man. Several concerts were held during the relay, including one in Liverpool with the Wombats.

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Next up was Northern Ireland. The torch deviated across the border when it was carried through Dublin for a spell.

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The Giant’s Causeway proved no barrier for the torch, as it skipped the Irish Sea to Scotland.

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Adventurer Bear Grylls taking the torch across the River Tyne on a zipline to England.

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The south coast of England was then trekked, complete with a quick jaunt to the islands of Jersey and Guernsey.

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Last but not least, the torch snaked its way through London as it ventured towards the Olympic Stadium, where it will light the Olympic Flame Friday. Harry Potter star Rupert Grint was among those who carried through the host city.

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Now let the games begin!

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*First Published: Jul 27, 2012, 9:00 am CDT