An Egyptian will participate in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay in the UK, reports Ghada Abdel-Kader Egyptian swimmer Mohamed El-Sayed has been selected as one of only 20 youths from International Inspiration countries around the world to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay in Nottinghamshire in the UK on 28 June. British Ambassador to Cairo James Watt told Al-Ahram Weekly, "El-Sayed will fly to the UK on 24 June. Four days later, in Nottingham City, the historic city in the north of London, he will be one of the relays carrying the torch there and will receive a lot of publicity. The whole relay is everywhere. I think it is very exciting. It is going to be a ground breaking moment for Egypt. I hope Egyptian feel as happy as proud as we feel to have El-Sayed with us." "It is a very big sport event," El-Sayed said. "I am so happy to represent my country abroad. I didn't participate in an international championship before." There will be one torchbearer from each of the 20 countries which are part of International Inspiration, from Azerbaijan to Zambia. Each International Inspiration torchbearer was selected either for their dedication and commitment to inspiring children and young people in their communities through the power of sport or for the personal challenges they have overcome in their lives. The 2012 Olympic torch was lit at a special ceremony on Mount Olympus in Greece before being transported to the UK to start its journey. The Olympic torch began its 70-day journey around the UK visiting 1,021 villages, towns and cities. It will end on July 27 when a final torchbearer lights a caldron at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games. The Olympic Flame stands for peace, unity and friendship. 8,000 torchbearers will carry the flame on its 8,000 miles across the UK. El-Sayed smiled saying, "I'm going to carry the Olympic torch for only three minutes." This will be the first time in history that the Olympic flame lands on the African continent (Cairo and Cape Town, South Africa). Former Moroccan Football Player Abdul-Aziz Bouderbala El-Idrissi was torchbearer of the Olympic Flame in Cairo during day eight of the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay on 11 June 2004 in Cairo. The Olympic Flame travelled to 34 cities in 27 countries en route to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. The Olympic flame burnt in front of the Giza Pyramids after travelling 34.66 km throughout Cairo. "I think it is the first time an Egyptian carries the Olympic torch." added Watt. El-Sayed, 18, is a student in his last year of high school. From Alexandria, he has two older sisters and a younger brother. About the choice of El-Sayed, Watt said, "We consulted with the Egyptian Olympic Committee which proposed him as a candidate for Egypt." El-Sayed added "I was nominated by the Paralympics committee to participate in the International Inspiration Programme. It aims at encouraging young people to practice sport and be part of their lives." El-Sayed is backstroke and butterfly short distance swimmer in the Paralympics. He has born with a disability in his legs. "It doesn't hinder me from practicising; on the contrary, it was a big motivation for me." El-Sayed started swimming at 12. He won gold medals in several national championships. "Since he was child he has had a big interest in swimming. His father was a swimmer, too. I am totally proud of him," El-Sayed's mother said. The International Inspiration programme was delivered by the British Council, UNICEF and UK Sport. It brings to life the promise made by the London 2012 bid team. They pledged to reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport. Watt explained, "It is a very successful programme especially in the Middle East. It is designed for school children, to see how inspiring to see somebody overcoming a physical disability to perform at a high standard. This is a lesson for us whether disabled or not. It is really aspiring to do the best we can." International Inspiration is focusing on ensuring that initiatives are sustainable and will leave a lasting legacy in all 20 countries after the final year of the programme in 2014. The programme is already changing the lives of young people in Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, South Africa, Tanzania, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda and Zambia. Egypt was the last country to join this ground-breaking international London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games Sports Legacy Programme. International Inspiration will engage 15 Egyptian schools and universities in Cairo, Assuit and Alexandria. It aims to link Egyptian schools and universities with partners in the UK through the power of sport. The links will enable schools and universities to share adopt innovative approaches in physical education, sport and play to benefit children, young people and the wider community.
