FIFTEEN people will get the privilege of carrying the Olympic flame during its 65-minute spell in Harrow.
The torch relay begins its stint in the borough at historical Headstone Manor, then makes its way through Wealdstone, Harrow and Sudbury before being handed over to Brent.
The relay is timed to cross the Harrow border just after 9.15am and leaves at Sudbury Hill at about 10.22am.
While only one of the torchbearers actually carrying it through the borough is from Harrow, there are plenty of other inspirational people from the area playing their part elsewhere.
With 8,000 people carrying the torch during its mammoth trek around the UK, the organisation behind the staging of the Games, LOCOG, said it was impossible to place all torchbearers in the area they are from. They were therefore given the chance to carry the torch within an hour of where they live.
This will see people living in Harrow carrying it through Barnet, Redbridge, Haringey and Enfield during the final stretch of the relay before the games get under way on Friday next week.
The only person from Harrow who will get the chance to carry it through the borough is British disabled waterskier, Jacky Stimpson.
She was put forward after representing Britain for more than 15 years in the sport, in which she won more than 50 medals.
The athlete said: “I am still just so stoked about the fact that the Games are coming to London and excited is an understatement about being able to carry the torch.
“It would have been a great pleasure to do it anywhere, but I do feel lucky to get to do it in Harrow, where I have lived for the majority of my live. Having that local support will be amazing and I am so looking forward to it.”
Among those carrying the torch in Haringey, north London, will be Elijah Kirby, from Roxeth Hill. The 24-year-old, a leader at Soul Survivor Youth Church in Brigade Close, Harrow, helps hundreds of young people each week.
“I’m really excited, but I have to say I am starting to get a bit nervous,” he said. “It really is such a privilege to be a part of. Obviously it would have been great to do it in Harrow, but to get any chance to be involved in such an historical event is amazing.
“A couple of the ladies at the church have said they will come to see me carry the torch.”
Also carrying the flame through Haringey is Stanmore’s Will Unwin, who was nominated for his hard work in setting up a Family Relay Marathon at Ruislip Lido and for raising money for charity by running 15 marathons.
The 41-year-old said: “I think because of who I am I will definitely have to run with the torch, but maybe it will be more of a jog, because the one thing I have noticed is just how quickly it seems to go.
“I think the excitement has been coming in waves and watching lots of the relay on TV and online has really helped to hit home that I am going to be part of something so spectacular.
“Although I won’t get to run with it through Harrow, it actually means I will get to watch it come through the borough in the morning before making my way over to Haringey.”
Other people from the borough carrying the flame are active pensioner Diana Gould, from Kenton – the oldest torchbearer at 100. She was nominated for her efforts in running exercise classes at her flat and will be carrying her torch in Barnet.
Daniel Grant, from Pinner, president of England Handball and an international player, is carrying the torch on Sunday through Redbridge borough.
And 12-year-old Kovushiya Suresh, a pupil at Heathfield School in Pinner, will be carrying the torch through Enfield next Wednesday.
