Release date: 4th August 2010
Design consultancies, engineering firms and manufacturers are being sought to create the Olympic and Paralympic Torches for London 2012.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), in partnership with the Design Council, today began the process of creating the torches for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays. They have invited top product and industrial design, engineering and manufacturing talent to register interest in creating what will become two of the key visual icons of the London Games.
At least 8,000 Olympic Torches will be required to enable Torchbearers to carry the Olympic Flame the length and breadth of the UK during the 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. Designing and developing the Paralympic Torch as well as lanterns, mini cauldrons and other related products for both Torch Relays are also part of the three separate briefs for design, engineering and manufacture.
LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton commented: “The creation of the torches to carry the Olympic and Paralympic Flame is a unique opportunity for London 2012 to literally shine a light on the UK’s best design, engineering and manufacturing talent. We are looking for an expert team to create the torches that will be held by thousands of people that represent the very best of our nation as the UK begins its Olympic and Paralympic celebrations with the Torch Relays in the summer of 2012.”
From today, LOCOG and the Design Council are encouraging designers with a track record of creating iconic product or industrial designs to register their interest on the CompeteFor website (www.competefor.com) , which is the online ‘dating agency’ for matching potential suppliers with Games-related business opportunities. Launched at the beginning of 2008, CompeteFor allows for an open and transparent procurement process and enables businesses to have access to all relevant business opportunities between now and 2012 – for both LOCOG and the Olympic Delivery Authority.
Expressions of interest from engineering firms and manufacturers will be welcomed from Wednesday 11 August 2010 as details are posted on CompeteFor.
The deadline for completion of this first stage of the process is midnight on Sunday 22 August 2010.
A special panel of representatives from LOCOG, the Design Council, Olympic and Paralympic sport, and industry experts will be announced in the coming month. The panel will select a shortlist of five designers who will receive a detailed brief and funding to develop their creative vision for the design of the Torches, from which the winning design will be chosen by the panel in October. The panel will also select the successful engineers and manufacturers to take forward the production of the torches and other accessories. The torches will be unveiled in May 2011 as part of the celebrations to mark ‘one year to go’ to the start of the Olympic Torch Relay.
David Godber, Deputy Chief Executive of the Design Council said: “This is a great opportunity for design – a global showcase for design talent. We’re delighted that LOCOG asked us to help the design industry rise to that challenge.”
Interested parties are being urged to seek further information and details of how to apply online at www.london2012.com/business. The Design Council is also assisting designers in registering their interest with background information and guidance on the process that can be accessed at www.designcouncil.org.uk/olympictorch.
Responses to one of the three briefs, two briefs or, indeed, all three briefs will be welcomed from both individual companies and consortia. As part of the process LOCOG and the Design Council will help to match up companies if necessary to assemble the very best team to deliver the suite of products.
Further information
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com.
Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on its blog http://blog.london2012.com or follow them on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/london2012
Notes to editors
The three Presenting Partners for the Olympic Torch Relay are Coca–Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.
Coca-Cola has a proud heritage of involvement in Olympic Torch Relays, with the London 2012 Torch Relay being the tenth supported by the company. Coca-Cola’s ambition for the London 2012 Torch Relay is to inspire the whole country to get involved in the spirit of the Olympic Games by celebrating young people who have made a positive contribution to their local communities through living active lifestyles and protecting the environment.
Lloyds TSB is the National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. With branches on practically every high street, Lloyds TSB will take the Olympic Torch Relay to people’s doorsteps, inspiring young people, customers and communities across the UK on their journey to the 2012 Games and beyond. Lloyds TSB will link their London 2012 community based programmes, including Local Heroes and National School Sport Week to the Olympic Torch Relay.
Samsung has a firm commitment to the Olympic Games and is once again thrilled to be a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, providing people from the UK and around the world an opportunity to participate and celebrate together. For the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay in particular, Samsung aims to leverage its role as a Presenting Partner to highlight its passion and excitement for youth and the future, as part of its wider goal to make the world a better place.
CompeteFor is part of the London 2012 Business Network. Is the chosen site of London 2012 for the publication of Games-related contract opportunities.
The Business Network is made up of three components all accessible at www.london2012.com/business:
- Information - Comprehensive information on London 2012 business opportunities;
- Events - A national programme of events around the UK;
- CompeteFor - An online business networking and matching service bringing together London 2012 contractors and potential suppliers;
As it heads towards its £2bn budget for staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games, LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS. There are now nineteen domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, GSK, Gymnova, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, Next, The Nielsen Company, Populous, Technogym, Ticketmaster and Trident.
There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games Partner, Sainsbury’s.
The Worldwide Olympic Partners signed up for London 2012 are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa.