The Olympic Torch began the London leg of its journey across the UK in Greenwich Park on Saturday morning, where 15 year old torch bearer Natasha Sinha set off from the Prime Meridian Line in The Royal Observatory. She ran down Greenwich Parks’ steeply sloping field - which will make the forthcoming Equestrian Cross Country course so demanding for competitors and exciting for spectators - to the next torch bearer, Ella Statham who carried it through the newly built Equestrian Arena in the Queen’s Field.
The Royal Parks Manager for Greenwich Park, Graham Dear was there to witness the spectacle and said:
"I can’t quite describe the range of emotions we felt seeing the Olympic Torch in the park on Saturday. Pride, excitement and a rare chance to catch our breath and consider the amount of work and preparation it has taken to reach this stage. Greenwich Park is looking amazing and visitors here will be impressed and no doubt a little awe struck as we all are, by the transformation of the park into a world class sporting venue."
And today the first of the Olympic horses arrived in the park to take up residence in their temporary stables, where they will each munch their way through at least 2.4 kg of carrots a day.
Saturday is the first day of competition in Greenwich Park with the Dressage element of the eventing medal.
