The Australian Olympic Committee will invite four Legatees to run in next year’s Beijing Torch Relay as a mark of respect to our servicemen and women.

Canberra will host the Australian leg of the relay on April 24th 2008, Anzac eve.

The route will include Anzac Parade and the Australian War Memorial and the AOC believes it is fitting members of legacy carry the flame.

“It is important we recognise the sacrifices of our servicemen and women,” AOC Vice-President Ron Harvey told a planning meeting in Canberra.

The meeting attended by a delegation from the Beijing Organising Committee (BOCOG) was told the AOC would approach the RSL asking for four nominees to run with the torch.

“The Olympic flame will be of great significance internationally on one day and the next day the Eternal flame takes prominence,” Harvey said.

The proposal has the full backing of the ACT Government who has the central role of organising the torch festivities in Canberra.

It is hoped the large number of visitors who travel to Canberra to observe Anzac Day will also celebrate the arrival of the Olympic torch.

Eighty runners will carry the torch over a five hour period taking in Federal Parliament House and many of Canberra’s icons. The route stretches almost 20 kilometres.

AOC