London Olympics: Protecting the Flame – whatever the weather

As the Olympic Torch Relay reaches the halfway stage, Producer Deborah Hale provides an insider's view of life on the road. Here she describes the work of the Torch Security Team, responsible for protecting the Flame as it travels around the UK.

• Come rain or shine...

  Torchbearer Matilda Sayburn-Hughes is flanked by members of the Torch Security Team as she carries the Olympic Flame 
  through a rainy Kendal.
  

  
  

  
  

  Love on the Olympic Torch Relay

  The Torch Security Team has been an ever-present part of the Olympic Torch Relay, looking on at a wide range of memorable moments.Love on the Olympic Torch Relay
  

  The Torch Security Team has been an ever-present part of the Olympic Torch Relay, looking on at a wide range of memorable moments.

Exactly halfway through the 70-day Torch Relay, the weather changed dramatically.

The sunshine that has followed the Torch pretty much everywhere it has travelled suddenly hid from us, and was replaced by storm clouds and high winds – really high winds, in fact, of up to 40 miles an hour.

As we travelled from Kendal in the Lake District towards Blackpool, the rain lashed down. But the public and the amazing Torch Relay team were undeterred. The Torchbearers donned waterproof ponchos and shivered on the roadside to wait patiently for their slots. The crowds rewarded them with cheers. Small children with rain dripping off their noses clapped their hands and shook the golden and rather soggy torches that they had made in school.

In the thick of things and getting more weather-worn than most was the Torch Security Team (TST). As I watched them getting drenched in the line of duty, I reflected on what an amazing team of individuals they are. Always smiling but constantly focused.

It is the job of the TST to protect the integrity of the Olympic Flame at all times and they have become something of a phenomenon in what is already a phenomenal Torch Relay.

These 35 men and women of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) were selected from 650 applicants. The youngest is 22, and the oldest is 50. They have been in training for 18 months and have a unique set of skills which they bring to their role. Of course, they are super fit – on a ‘running day’ they can cover up to 35 miles. But they also combine policing, protection and communication skills, all of which are on display in the way they interact with the Torchbearers and the public.

Come rain or shine they protect the Torchbearer and ensure that the Olympic Flame is exchanged properly at the point of the ‘kiss’. They are responsible for the safe transfer of the Flame back into the lantern when the day is done, and they protect it while we all sleep. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them after which they will all return to normal duties.

The public has taken them to their hearts, as have we, and they are now receiving dozens of emails of support from their MPS colleagues ever day.

As the Torch crew wear somewhat similar uniforms to the TST, I am regularly asked by people: ‘Are your legs sore?’ Sometimes I am tempted to pretend that I do, in fact, run all day and protect the Flame, but in truth I know that I cannot compare with this extraordinary group. I am very proud to call them part of our team.Come rain or shine...

Torchbearer Matilda Sayburn-Hughes is flanked by members of the Torch Security Team as she carries the Olympic Flame through a rainy Kendal.

Day 4 Review: History in the pool - Michael Phelps

Spectators at the Aquatics Centre witnessed drama and history on Day 4 as Michael Phelps became the all-time most decorated Olympic athlete, while Ye Shiwen claimed a second title.

 Michael Phelps takes silver in the 200m Butterfly

Michael Phelps of USA competes in the men's 200m Butterfly final on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre.lps of USA competes in the men's 200m Butterfly final on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre.

Phelps moved alongside Larisa Latynina on 18 medals following the 200m Butterfly, although any sense of achievement may have been bittersweet given he was beaten at the touch by South African Chad le Clos and had to settle for silver.

The 27-year-old then anchored the United States 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay team to gold as he moved on to 19 medals - with Phelps now the owner of 15 gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

The Baltimore swimmer still has three races to come and is expected to finish his Olympic career with 22 medals.

The Bob Bowman-trained athlete paid tribute to his three relay team-mates, and said: 'I thanked those guys (in the huddle) for helping get to this moment.

I thanked those guys (in the huddle) for helping get to this moment.

Michael Phelps

'I told those guys I wanted a big lead in the last leg and they gave it to me.

'I just wanted to hold on, I just wanted to thank them for allowing me to have this moment.'

Phelps had the Butterfly won until the final metres but he got his finish wrong - his usual perfect spotting of the wall replaced with a glide that would have had Bowman tearing his hair out.

Phelps was disappointed but was philosophical, saying: 'Obviously I would have liked to have had a better outcome in the 200m fly.

'Chad swum a great race, I have got to know him over the last year, he is a hard worker, a fast racer and a tough competitor.

'I would have liked to have won my last race, but it wasn't a terrible time. It was decent.'

Le Clos was hugely emotional, crying on the podium, seemingly stunned by the magnitude of his achievement which saw the South African beat his idol by 0.05 seconds in 1:52.96.

He said: 'This is a dream of mine, I have always said Michael Phelps was my hero.

'I wanted to be in the final for my main event, I achieved that goal and my coach said you have done all you have to do.

'But I just remember sitting in the call room thinking that Michael Phelps has never lost this race for 10 years in international meets.

'I remember turning in the last 50 and just looking at him underwater and realising this is my hero, it's crazy.

'I can't describe how I felt. In the last 25 metres, I can't explain what came over me.'

'I'll have to try and defend my title in four years time, but to beat Michael Phelps is something I have wanted my whole life, it is exactly what I have been dreaming off since I was 12.'

Meanwhile, Ye followed up her victory in the 400m Individual Medley, with the 16-year-old adding the shorter Medley title.

Tonight she turned third after 150m before producing a blistering freestyle leg to win in a new Olympic record of 2:07.5.

Australian world champion James Magnussen was quickest into the 100m Freestyle final.

Olympic Games 27 July - 12 August

The Italian Olympic team enters the stadium

Valentina Vezzali of the Italian Olympic team carries her country's flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium. Five-time gold medal winner Vezzali is performing in her fifth Olympic Games in the women's Fencing, which starts on Saturday.

The Queen with Jacques Rogge

The Queen and Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), attend the Opening Ceremony. Rogge competed as a yachtsman over three Olympics - 1968, 1972 and 1976. This is his final Games as President of the IOC, a position he's held since 2001.

Fireworks light up the stadium

Fireworks ignite over the Olympic Stadium during the stunning Opening Ceremony.

The Olympic Cauldron is lit

The Olympic Cauldron is lit during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Cauldron was designed by internationally renowned creative thinker Thomas Heatherwick. His other work includes the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010, the Rolling Bridge in Paddington and London's new red double-decker bus.

Fireworks light up the Opening Ceremony

Fireworks illuminate the sky during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium. They ended the stunning visual extravaganza, directed by Danny Boyle.

Ireland team flies the flag

Ireland enter the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony. Teams calling themselves 'Ireland' first competed at the Games in 1908, the first time they were held in London. It was not until 1922 that Ireland was officially recognised as a competing nation.

The Olympic Stadium is illuminated during the Opening Cermony

The Olympic Stadium is illuminated in stunning blue during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games.