THE Queen’s grandaughter Zara Phillips and Champions League winner Didier Drogba will be both carrying the Olympic torch at some point today.
Zara will be riding the horse on which she won world and European titles, Toytown, as she carries the iconic flame on to the hoome straight at Cheltenham racecourse, before lighting a cauldron to mark the end of day five of the relay.
Drogba, who has announced he will be leaving Chelsea, will carry the torch in Swindon, while his Stamford Bridge team-mate Josh McEachran will do the same in Calne.
Two Olympic gold medalists from the 1968 Games in Mexico will also be taking part in the shape of David Hemery, 67, who broke a world record when winning gold in the 400m hurdles, and Jane Holderness Roddam, 64 – the event rider who won team gold.
Others taking part include the World’s Toughest Firefighter 2010, Suzanne Enghed, 33, and the oldest torchbearer of the day, Mary Wixey, 91, a former games mistress who will run in Cheltenham.
The flame will be carried through 22 communities including Chippenham, Marlborough, Wroughton, Cirencester and Stroud, as well as crossing the landmark Clifton Suspension Bridge, before finishing at Cheltenham racecourse.
A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame on its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
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