"I am very honoured and excited to be carrying the Olympic torch through Ascot on 10 July," says Pippa. "Being able to take part in such a historic event is definitely something that I'm never going to forget!" After being lit in Olympia, Greece, the Olympic flame began its UK journey on 19 May. From Land's End in Cornwall - the most westerly point of mainland Britain - up to the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and back down to London, 8,000 people will carry the flame through more than 1,000 cities, towns and villages before it reaches the Olympic Stadium during the London 2012 Opening Ceremony on 27 July. Representing the individual stories of each torchbearer, 8,000 perforated circles run the length of the body of the triangular-shaped torch.From the youngest (aged 11) to the eldest (aged 100), each torchbearer has been selected because of personal stories that have the power to inspire millions of people watching around the world. One of those is 17-year-old Pippa Hatch (pictured) from Reading, who has been living with a rare form of sarcoma known as Paediatric Wild-type GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour) since October 2009. She was nominated by the charity Sarcoma UK for her fundraising efforts and for helping to raise awareness of sarcoma, which sadly affects a high number of youngsters. After two operations to remove tumors and intensive chemotherapy, Pippa is now enjoying life as a normal 17-year-old, albeit with the uncertainties that go with having such a rare form of cancer. ?London 2012 Torch Relayheptathlete Jessica Ennis, 400m hurdler Dai Greene and swimming star Rebecca Adlington. The Olympic torch relay, which began in mid-May, is also playing a key role in generating excitement in the lead-up to the Games. During its 70-day journey to the Opening Ceremony, the Olympic torch will be carried by a total of 8,000 people and will pass within 15km of 95 per cent of the UK population. But one of the most noteworthy aspects of London 2012 is the lasting legacy that will be left for the future once the Games have left town. The area of East London has undergone a dramatic change and it is hoped that the construction of the Orbit Tower and the Olympic Museum will make the Park a tourist attraction to rival those on the other side of the city.The Olympic Village - where the athletes and officials will stay during the Games - will be converted into homes and the world-class sporting venues will be adapted when necessary and used by sports clubs and the local community, in addition to hosting major international events in the future. There is no doubt that the 2012 Games will deliver fantastic sporting memories and inspire a generation, as the world's elite athletes go for gold and the people of London, the UK and the world come out to celebrate. ?"One of the most noteworthy aspects of London 2012 is the lasting legacy that will be left for the future once the Games have left town"38 OLYMPIC REVIEW LONDON 2012