Tony Pulis to carry the light - Olympic Torch
Thousands of Stoke City fans will get the chance to see their manager Tony Pulis carrying the Olympic Torch through Stoke-on-Trent.
Welsh born Tony, who’s in his second spell with the Potteries based club, will lift the Olympic Torch on Thursday May 31, as it departs from the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in the City Centre at 7am.
Tony is thought to be the only Premier League manager to carry the Olympic Torch during the 2012 relay.
Upon hearing the news Tony Pulis said: “I am extremely honoured to be given the privilege of representing Stoke-on-Trent and to be among those offered this most prestigious of opportunities.
“This is an historic event for the whole of Britain and it is an immensely proud feeling to be able to say that you are carrying the Olympic Torch as part of that build-up.
“The body may well be a little weary due to the fact that we will be two days into our sponsored bike ride from John O’Groats and Land’s End, but the amazing feeling of being part of this very special occasion will certainly carry me along the streets of the city.”
He added: “What a summer it’s going to be. This honour comes on top of my son getting married and our first grandchild due to be born very soon as well.”
The announcement comes following the unexpected withdrawal by Stoke-on-Trent born 800m athlete and Olympic hopeful Emma Jackson, who has received an amazing invitation to race in the Diamond League Athletics meeting in Rome.
Emma said: “I am so disappointed that I can no longer carry the torch in Stoke-on-Trent. It is such a great honour and a privilege and something I was looking forward to so much. But for the same date I have received an invitation to race in the Diamond League Athletics meeting in Rome. Apart from the Olympics themselves this is one of the biggest meetings of 2012 and I have to take the opportunity to compete in such a world class event.
“I recognise that it is a great honour to carry the torch but I am now very close to actually competing in the Olympics, which would be a dream come true for me. My event, 800m, is very competitive in the UK and I have to seize every opportunity to impress the GB selectors. The only way that I can do this is to race against the best in the world and prove myself.
“I know the event in Stoke-on-Trent will be incredible and I just wish I could be in two places at once but the race in Rome is a massively vital step in my career.”
Councillor Mark Meredith, cabinet member for economic development, said: “To have someone of Tony’s calibre and close links to the city carrying the Torch is superb news. Stoke City fans obviously hold him in extremely high regard and it would be great to see them all lining the route in the City Centre on Thursday morning.”
He added: “It’s disappointing that Emma can’t carry the Torch in her home city but it’s important that she gets into peak condition for the actual Games. It would be wonderful to see her running in London and not only representing her country but also Stoke-on-Trent and hopefully bringing home a gold medal.”
The Flame will arrive in Stoke-on-Trent on Wednesday May 30 at 6:34pm on the Stoke Road junction of Station Road before moving on to Avenue Road, College Road, Cleveland Road and the Parkway before entering the event arena.
Following the evening celebration the Flame will be stored overnight in the city before taking in the City Centre, Burslem, Middleport and out of Stoke-on-Trent on Thursday May 31.
Further information about the event can be found at www.stoke.gov.uk/olympics2012.
Comments
Why are celebrities jumping
Why are celebrities jumping on the band wagon with carrying the Olympic torch it should be local people who have made a difference to city, people who have given up time or made a difference to their community. People like Matt (web monkey) who spends time on his web site mytunstall keeping people well informed on things that are on going in Tunstall.
Cheers Bryn. I suppose Pulis
Cheers Bryn. I suppose Pulis is a way to get some local interest in the torch relay from areas other than schools and council staff.
Me carry the torch, I'm so clumsy I'd drop it and set something on fire.
I agree with bj-dj web monkey
I agree with bj-dj web monkey would be a perfect example, the city may not recognise the great job he does with My Tunstall but I am sure he is well thought of around here and further afield, I for one would be proud to give him a medal just because he as earned it,and remember he does it because he cares about the estate and the area around us where he is bringing his family up, all the hours of research he does and the miles he covers just to keep us all informed about local events, I think he is doing a great job,well done Matt,and well done to everyone who adds to My Tunstall you are all stars .
Who cares about this blasted
Who cares about this blasted flame. The money spend on it and it's 350 person team that follows it could have been spent on keeping libraries open or other local services. Are we all that stupid that we follow a flame on a stick - come on people... really!
I agree with everything that has been said - Tony Pulis - who gives a rats fiddle. I'd prefer the man in the street to run than some over paid manager who gives no care to the area. IF he were a decent human being he would give it to someone less fortunate than himself.
Rant over.
Seeing as all I ever hear
Seeing as all I ever hear about is London 2012 Olympics I have lost interest.
This was supposed to be the countries Olympics till the money men and sheer naked greed took over.
As for Pulis? (not a football fan) carrying the torch is this why the young lad was stopped from doing it?
Is that why. What a cruel
Is that why. What a cruel thing to do. To be honoured in such a way & then have it snatched away.
I can't wait to for it to start so we can see the best of British competing.
w/m is Stoke so desperate
w/m is Stoke so desperate that we have no athletes from this area and the only choice is a Welshman?
Firstly why is there only one
Firstly why is there only one team represented there are 2 teams in this city.
Secondly the money wasted on this stupid torch relay through the country is an absolute disgrace its jobs and money people need not olympic torches being carried through the city. I bet the pot holes are mended in the roads it goes along. also how have the places its going to been picked? I think some of the areas it is going in are not the best why has Forest park not been used or similar places.
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