40 Coca-Cola Future Flames selected to run with Olympic Flame in Northern Ireland

Coca-Cola has  unveiled over 40 Future Flames from Northern Ireland – exceptional people who will be honoured as they carry the Olympic Flame during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay this summer.

These inspiring individuals will join over 1,300 other amazing people from across the UK as official London 2012 Olympic Torchbearers, and will have the once in a lifetime experience of carrying the Olympic Flame as it embarks upon its journey throughout Northern Ireland, building excitement ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Coca-Cola, the longest continuous supporter of the Olympic Movement and a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, launched its Future Flames nomination campaign last summer, aiming to recognise and reward the positive contributions made by young people every day in the UK by giving them the opportunity to run with the Olympic Flame.  The nationwide campaign called on the country to nominate people who use their passions in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance, and community and the environment; to spread happiness in their local communities.

Cool FM DJ Pete Snodden who has been announced as one of the 40 flames said:

“Firstly what an honour it is to be involved with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – this is an opportunity that I will share with the grand children in years to come. I am very excited to be sharing my moment as a Coca-Cola Torchbearer with 39 inspirational people and can’t wait to get involved in the celebrations Coca-Cola is hosting as part of the relay.”

Dempsey Andrews from Dundonald who was originally selected as a Coca-Cola Future Flame said:

“I have been involved with Coca-Cola’s Future Flame campaign as an ambassador encouraging young people to nominate themselves to carry the torch – it is just amazing that my story has come full circle and I will actually be carrying the Olympic Torch this summer.  There are a lot of inspirational people out there doing great things so it’s nice that their achievements are being recognised in the local community.”

Eorann O’Neill from Nutts Corner also said:

“I am overwhelmed by the fact that I will carry the Olympic Torch this summer. When I was first notified by Coca-Cola that my entry had made it through to the final stage I never imagined I would actually make it as a torchbearer.  All my family and friends are very excited to cheer me on when I run my 300m with the torch.”
Coca-Cola is now calling on everyone to come out in force to celebrate their local Future Flames by cheering them on as they run along the UK’s roads or by attending one of the Evening Celebrations which will be held almost every evening along the route of the Olympic Torch Relay.

Coca-Cola also recently announced it is helping the London Organising Committee (LOCOG) and host Local Authorities to bring music and celebration to every corner of the UK through the Olympic Torch Relay’s 66 Evening Celebrations, showcasing up-and-coming British music talent and some of the country’s best loved stars.  This focus on music builds on Coca-Cola’s Move to the Beat campaign, which fuses music and sport to bring teens closer to the Olympic Games through a unique collaboration with GRAMMY award-winning producer Mark Ronson and chart topping dub-step vocalist Katy B.

James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola, said:

“With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games only months away, I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to start the celebrations early by confirming the Olympic Torchbearers we have selected through our Future Flames campaign.  They are all outstanding people who spread happiness in their local communities to make Britain burn brighter, and now they will be honoured with the amazing experience of carrying the Olympic Flame. I hope everyone joins us in cheering them on as they run along the route and at their closest evening event, so they can Move to the Beat in celebration of their local Future Flames.”

Details of the full line up of each Evening Celebration will be announced in due course.