The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
ZARA GIVES ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL TO OLYMPIC FLAME
Zara Phillips carries the Olympic torch at Cheltenham racecourse, riding Toytown, the horse on which she won the 2006 Eventing World Championships. Large crowds turned out to cheer on the royal sportswoman as she rode down the finishing straight.
SHE IS better known as a former world equestrian champion, but yesterday Zara Phillips rode past one of Britain’s most famous national hunt racing finishing posts.
The 31-year-old royal rode the entire length of the finishing straight at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Miss Phillips wa s reunited with Toytown – the horse she retired last year after winning the 2006 Eventing World Championships – marking the end of day five of the Olympic torch relay.
More than 16,500 people were at the racecourse to see her trot past the finishing post to the theme from Chariots of Fire carrying the Olympic flame.
After dismounting from Toytown she stepped on to the stage and performed the duty reserved for the last torchbearer of each day – lighting the Olympic cauldron.
The event marked the end of day five in which 129 people – including Chelsea star Didier Drogba – were torchbearers.
Thousands of fans mobbed the 34-year-old striker, who has announced he is quitting Chelsea, as he carried the Olympic Flame through Swindon.
Also taking part in the relay was Drogba’s midfield team-mate Josh Mceachran (19) and two Olympic gold medallists from the 1968 Mexico City games – David Hemery (67), who broke a world record when he won gold in the 400 metre hurdles, and Jane Holderness Roddam (64), who won an eventing gold.
Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge was lit up with an impressive display of fireworks as Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Rebecca Pantaney stepped on to the structure.
The 70-day relay around the UK f inishes at the Olympic Stadium on July 27.
A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame on its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.