10,000 to carry torch in relay
5 September 1998Sydney's Games organisers have given a quarter of the places available for the Australian public to carry the Olympic torch to major Games sponsors.
Sponsors, who have paid up to $60 million to be attached to the Games, will now be able to use those places in the Torch Relay as prizes or rewards for customers, staff and shareholders.
Six customers and shareholders of the insurance company and major sponsor AMP have already been guaranteed positions carrying the torch after appearing in commercials promoting the company's sponsorship of the event, announced yesterday.
The Torch Relay, which will pass within an hour's drive of 85 per cent of the Australian population, culminates in the lighting of the flame at the opening ceremony on September 15, 2000.
About 10,000 runners will each carry the Olympic torch about 500 metres as it travels around Australia in 2000.
The SOCOG president and Olympics Minister, Mr Knight, said yesterday: "There will be some [places] that will go to those who are sponsoring the torch relay and of course the major sponsor of the torch relay, AMP."
"Obviously, AMP will get the largest slice of that."
With places also set aside for runners who carried the torch at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and Australian and overseas Olympians and dignitaries, it is unclear exactly how many places will be available for the public.
Asked how many positions would be reserved for sponsors, Mr Knight replied: "About three-quarters of the people who run will come out of general community nominations."
Mr Knight stressed: "The big group of people who will carry the torch will be Australians - people who are selected at a local level."
Australians wanting to carry the torch are expected to have to enter a ballot for the positions when details of the route and application procedures are released next month.
