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The Army and the Olympics

We are supporting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

Soldiers and veterans - regular and reserve, able-bodied and wounded - will carry the Olympic flame on its route around the UK, as well as take part competitively in the Games as individuals or members of Team GB squads.

Regiments are also providing marshalling on the torch route and security at the venues.

London 2012 logo
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EXETER: Major Mike Parnell with the Olympic torch in Exeter on Monday, 21 May. He said: 'It was just a tremendous feeling of patriotism and also I was representing Exeter.'

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  • TA and the Olympics - reservist Jessica Hunter.
  • Taffy the Regimental Goat entertained spectators at the London Olympics Triathlon event in Hyde Park on 4 Aug. Handled by L/Cpl Lyndon Howusley Taffy is the mascot for 2 R WELSH.
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  • Members of the Queens Gurkha Engineers (36 Engr Regt) iron the Union Flag prior to the flag raising ceremony at the Olympics Womens Triathlon in Hyde Park, London.
  • Private Miles Davis (21) and Private Toby Shears (21), both serving with the 3 PARA, watch the giant screen on Murray Mound at the final day of the Wimbledon Olympics.
  • Gnr Sean Cook with some early Olympic visitors
  • CIRENCESTER: 29 Regiment RLC supporting Cirencester Council during the Olympic Torch Relay through the town on 23 May.
  • MARLBOROUGH: 4 Military Intelligence Battalion supporting Marlborough Council during the Olympic Torch Relay on 23 May.
  • CIRENCESTER: 29 Regiment RLC supporting Cirencester Council during the Olympic Torch Relay through the town on 23 May.
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  • Sgt Gavin Harvey, 43X PRU, carried the torch through Frome on Tue 22 May 12. He said: “Absolutely epic. The crowds were amazing and it was a really good turnout. I am so proud.
  • Sgt Gavin Harvey, 43X PRU, carried the torch through Frome on Tue 22 May 12. He said: “Absolutely epic. The crowds were amazing and it was a really good turnout. I am so proud.
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  • EXETER: Major Mike Parnell with the Olympic torch in Exeter on Monday, 21 May. He said:
  • PLYMOUTH: Cpl Andy Netherton, 6 Rifles, TA carrying the Olympic torch through Plymouth on Sunday, 20 May.
  • PLYMOUTH: Cpl Andy Netherton, 6 Rifles, TA carrying the Olympic torch through Plymouth on Sunday, 20 May. Pictured here with his family

Paralympic flame arrives at show

Injured and sick soldiers from 42 (NW) Brigade’s Personnel Recovery Unit brought the Paralympic Flame to Fulwood Barracks on Saturday as part of Preston Military Show.

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West Country reservists' pride

More than 100 TA Reservists from the South West are coming to the end of a summer they'll never forget, helping to secure the Olympic Games.

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Soldier is volleyball line judge

Staff Sergeant John Postance, currently serving with Headquarters 43 (Wessex) Brigade, in Tidworth, is now on our TV screens as a line judge for the Olympic indoor volleyball.

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Army Officer wins first gold for GB

Royal Artillery Captain Heather Stanning and teammate Helen Glover secured Team GB’s first gold medal of the London 2012 Olympics in the rowing regatta at Eton Dorney.

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Capt Heather Stanning and Helen Glover

Paralympics for Pte Derenalagi

Private Derek Derenalagi, from 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, lost his legs when an anti-tank mine exploded in Afghanistan. Now he will compete in the F57 discus.

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Private Derek Derenalagi

Accommodation for Olympics

An exhibition centre in East London, will serve as accommodation for the bulk of the 3,500 additional military personnel who are being deployed on Olympic Security operations.

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Tobacco dock

Additional military support

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has confirmed that an additional 3,500 military personnel will be deployed as part of the security arrangements for the 2012 Olympic Games.

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Military support at Wimbledon

Reservists to protect venues

Reserve soldiers will play a prominent role in protecting the Olympic venues this summer in one of the most high-profile UK mobilisations they have been a part of.

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Reserve soldiers

Ground-based air defence

The Government has today confirmed that ground-based air defence systems will be deployed at six sites in and around London for the duration of the 2012 Olympic Games.

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Ground-based air defence

Olympic torch for EOD soldier

Bomb disposal soldier Corporal Daniel Whittingham will carry the Olympic torch in Nottingham in recognition of his charity work.

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Corporal Daniel Whittingham

Officer to represent team GB

British Army Captain, Heather Stanning, has been selected to compete as a member of the Great Britain Rowing Team at the London Olympics.

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Heather Stanning

Judo Trooper represents Ghana

After a long and gruelling journey Trooper Emmanuel Nartey (29) from 1 RTR has been selected to represent Ghana in judo at the London Olympics.

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World cup gold for Army rower

Royal Artillery Captain Heather Stanning and rowing partner Helen Glover have inched closer to Olympic qualification with a second World Cup Rowing series gold medal.

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Captain Heather Stanning and rowing partner Helen Glover

Paralympic volleyball hopeful

LCpl Netra Rana, a Gurkha rifleman who sustained multiple injuries in an IED explosion in Afghanistan, is competing for a place on the Team GB Sitting Volleyball squad.

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Gurkha has a Paralympic dream

Injured Gurkha Rifleman Kushal Limbu, who lost both legs below the knee in Afghanistan, has his sights set on Paralympic running success this summer.

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Relay starts in South West

Army personnel are supporting the Olympic Torch relay in the South West of England after its arrival at Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose, Cornwall, today (18 May).

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Olympic torch relay

Gen Sir Nick Parker interview

General Sir Nick Parker talks about the role of the Armed Forces in support of the police during the Olympic Games, from on board HMS Ocean in the Thames.

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Gunners test air defences

Gunners from 16 Regiment Royal Artillery test their ground defences in preparation for the Olympics. Exercise Olympic Guardian began in London on Friday, 4 May.

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2PWRR in venue security tests

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment are helping to provide security for the final and largest Olympic Games test event currently taking place.

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Army Air Corps to defend Olympic venues

Soldiers from 661 Squadron Army Air Corp are training aboard HMS Ocean ahead of their aviation reaction role providing security for the Olympic Games.

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Olympic security put to test

Preparations aimed at making the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as safe and secure as possible are to be tested this week (2-10 May 2012) in a major exercise.

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Army Olympics shooting venue gets put to the test

Woolwich Barracks is being vigorously tested this week as a London 2012 Olympic venue as it hosts the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup.

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Guardsmen mark 100 days to go to start of Olympics

It took 260 men and women from the Foot Guards and bands of the Household Division to form the 100 symbol on Horse Guards parade in central London.

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Olympics 100 days to go

Two military amputees to carry Olympic flame

Amputees Guardsman Dave Watson and Sergeant Rick Clement are among more than 7,000 torchbearers named to carry the flame on its 70-day journey throughout the UK.

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Dave Watson, who has been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch; photo courtesy of Lancashire Evening Post

Officer to represent Great Britain in World Cup rowing

Captain Heather Stanning, of 32 Regiment Royal Artillery, has been named as part of the GB Rowing Team for the 2012 World Cup, which starts next month in Belgrade.

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Captain Heather Stanning rowing

The Olympics buzz arrives on Horse Guards

As London 2012 draws ever closer, the Household Cavalry Museum has joined in the spirit of the Games with the official opening of a new Olympic exhibition.

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Showing Olympic medal

Army personnel set to help carry Olympic torch

Military personnel will be among more than 7,300 people to take part in bearing the Flame in the Olympic Torch Relay.

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Olympic torch relay

Reservists called up for Olympics duties

Reservists are to be called up as part of Defence's overall contribution to security at the London Olympic Games later this year.

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Olympic torch

Army cyclist competes for Olympic qualification

A Royal Artillery officer is bidding to compete in the cycling events at this year's London Olympic Games for her father's country of Guyana.

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Maj Fraser

Army's role in Olympics security revealed

The extent to which Britain’s Armed Forces will support the security effort for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in London was announced today by the Defence Secretary

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Bombb disposal kit

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