HAMPSHIRE yachtsman Ben Ainslie will have the honour of being the first torchbearer for the Olympic relay around Britain.
The three time gold medallist who is based in Lymington will start the 70-day relay at Land's End on May 19 and will be the first of 8,000 torchbearers as it visits towns and cities throughout the country.
Ben, 35, said: “I am extremely honoured to be the first torchbearer at the start of the 70-day Olympic torch relay.
“It will be an amazing experience to be able to carry the Olympic flame in the area that I grew up in.”
London 2012 chairman Seb Coe made the announcement as torch was lit yesterday at a ceremony at Olympia in Greece.
Lord Coe said: “Ben is the perfect person to start the relay in Land’s End as he grew up in the area and is an inspirational sportsman who has worked hard to achieve his goals.
The torch, that will also be carried through Manchester by cyclist Chris Hoy, is due to arrive in Britain on May 18.
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