Mike Pepper, an optician from Caernarfon, has travelled around the world in recent years to help treat people with eye problems. In addition, he is a keen triathlete who has represented Great Britain at age-group level, and has two Ironman finishes to his name. 

 

Speaking before carrying the Flame through Y Felinheli near Caernarfon on Monday 28 May, Mike said: “I am honoured to be lucky enough to carry the Torch on this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

 

On Wednesday 30 May, it was the turn of Oswestry’s Linda Arthan to carry the Flame. Linda has been a PE teacher for some 34 years, helping to develop the skills and aspirations of thousands of children. Linda has also represented Great Britain at age-group level and one of her proudest achievements was finding herself competing in the same GE Great Britain Age-Group Team as one of her pupils, whom she had encouraged to take up triathlon.

 

Linda is proud of what her sport has helped her achieve: “My sport, triathlon, has given me so much over the years I’ve been competing. I’ve gained a great level of fitness and a great bunch of training buddies within the very friendly and inclusive triathlon community. To be picked to represent my community as a Torchbearer feels amazing - it’s a huge red cherry on top of my sporting career!”

 

Today (Friday 1 June) saw the Flame being carried by a young triathlete from Ormskirk who underwent an emergency lifesaving operation before reaching her first birthday. Anna Hulme, now 13, spent the first year of her life in Alder Hey Children’s Healthcare Hospital after suffering from bowel disease. Despite having had her large intestine removed, Anna has embraced sport and competes at a high level in swimming, running and triathlon. She has also competed in the Race for Life and Great North Swim, raising money for numerous charities. Not without good reason, she is known as ‘Amazing Anna’ amongst her friends!

 

Speaking earlier today, Anna said: “It means a great deal to me to carry the Torch, even though I have a permanent medical condition. Participating in triathlon helps me overcome the frustrations of my condition, and by participating in the Torch Relay I hope to show others that you should never give up and always try your best."

 

Mike, Linda and Anna are among over fifty triathletes chosen to be Torchbearers, representing every level of the sport in the UK from volunteers to elite triathletes. Triathlon’s Torchbearers also cover an impressive age range, from 12-year-old Grace Jordan to 91-year-old Arthur Gilbert. 

 

An average of 115 Torchbearers per day will carry the Olympic Flame during its 8,000-mile journey around the UK this summer before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July. Its journey will take the Flame to within 10 miles of 95% of the UK population.

 

The triathlon community will also be looking forward to the triathlon events, which are set to be the most memorable of the London 2012 Olympic Games with the women’s race taking place on Saturday 4 August at 9am and the men’s on Tuesday 7 August at 11:30am. Triathlon will be one of the few free-to-view sports during the London 2012 Olympic Games, with much of Hyde Park open and un-ticketed during the events.

 

Fans can watch the action at a number of iconic London landmarks including the south side of the Serpentine, The Wellington Arch, and Buckingham Palace, as well as plenty of areas within Hyde Park to view the event. To find out more and start planning your triathlon events visit www.britishtriathlon.org/london-2012