An insiders account of the Olympic Torch Relay - Birmingham

John Ellery passes the Flame to Sir Cliff Richard

John Ellery, sported. Regional Manager for the West Midlands, ran his leg of the Torch Relay on Saturday 30 June.  Here, he reflects on this once in a lifetime experience...

"Carrying the flame was an incredible experience and I feel extremely fortunate to have been nominated by my colleagues at sported. and to have been chosen as one of the 8,000 Olympic Torchbearers.

Having always worked in Sport for Development and now a charity working towards the Olympic Legacy, I've been counting down the days to the 2012 Olympics for the past seven years.  I can even remember '2,000 days to go' events being organised, so I feel so privileged to say I have now been a tiny part of the 2012 Games in the UK.

Myself and the team of Torchbearers I was with were extremely moved by the amount of people who turned out to see the Relay.  Taking that step off the coach to be greeted by a large crowd was a very surreal and touching moment.

As I began my run, I saw friends, family and former colleagues as well as sported. Mentors and Members, who had turned out to see me with the Flame. Unfortunately, I know I didn't manage to see or wave to everyone that lined the road on the day.

The highlight of my experience is something I will be able to keep with me for years to come - the reaction of people when they see the Olympic Torch. I was dropped off for my leg of the run 10 minutes before the Flame arrived, which gave me the chance to show the Torch to children and young people in the crowd. They all reacted with such amazement that they were able to touch and hold the Torch and be photographed with it.

Since running my leg of the Relay, I have shared the Torch with friends and family who, young and old, have the exact same response and I intend to take the Torch out to a number of sported. Members over the coming months. Whilst I was fortunate to be able to carry the Flame, I feel my role was on behalf of the incredible organisations I have worked for, volunteered with and supported over the past 15 years and therefore feel it is essential that this experience is shared as much as possible.

We are fortunate in the West Midlands to have an Olympic co-host City in the region, being Coventry, however the Torch Relay really has brought the Olympics to the whole of the region, with over 750,000 people having lined the streets along the route in the West Midlands. Now there is just 24 days to go to London 2012, the excitement and anticipation can really be felt."