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TEN BMW R1200 GS MOTORCYCLES ESCORT OLYMPIC FLAME Accompanied by ten BMW R1200 GS motorcycles, Sir Roger Bannister began the 31-mile trip from Wimbledon’s Centre Court on Saturday morning. British number one tennis star Tim Henman carried it around the All England Club before passing it on to former Wimbledon women’s champion Virginia Wade. The famous and symbolic Olympic flame torch is on a tour of the cities which have hosted the Olympic Games and is being accompanied throughout by ten BMW R1200 GS motorcycles and outriders. The permanently lit torch is being escorted from the town of Olympia, all the way across five continents to Athens, in time for the Olympic Games opening ceremony on 13 August 2004. Under the motto ''Pass on the flame – unite the world'', the torch will pass through 26 countries and 33 cities. Up to 10,000 people will run with the torch in a marathon relay that will cover 4,300 miles. In addition to fire, the other elements are also symbolic to the Olympic Games. For example, to represent water, a diver will swim with the flame; and to symbolise air it will be carried in a hot air balloon. Even a camel will carry the torch to help convey the Olympic ideal of peaceful coexistence and international understanding. Each torch bearer will run for about a quarter of a mile, the traditional length of a stadium lap, in what will be the longest (and most participated in) relay in history. The BMW motorcycles are assigned the role of “protecting” the runners and flame for the entire length of the marathon journey. This is a considerable logistical task. A Boeing 747 will transport the torches, motorcycles and organisational team to various cities around the globe. In addition to the R1200 GS’s standard equipment, the motorcycles are fitted with pannier cases, special horns and xenon lights. In total, BMW Motorrad will provide 35 motorcycles (including a number of F650 GS and K1200 LT models) to play a supporting role in the Olympics at such disciplines as cycling, the marathon, and other long-distance road races. Famous torch bearers since the start of the journey on 25 March 2004 have included Nelson Mandela in Cape Town, and soccer stars Pelé and Ronaldo in Rio de Janeiro. Well-known torchbearers during the journey from Wimbledon to The Mall included Ian Botham, Frank Bruno, Sir Richard Branson, Mary Peters and Sir Steve Redgrave. The five-times Olympic rowing champion ran the final stage and lit the cauldron in front of thousands of cheering fans as millions more watched the ceremony live on television Who will carry the torch into the Olympic Stadium in Athens on 13 August 2004 is still a secret. Customers can call BMW‘s information line: 0800 777 155
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