Olympic hero Robin Cousins to carry torch in Brighton (From The Argus)

Olympic hero Robin Cousins to carry torch in Brighton

2:20pm Friday 6th July 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

An Olympic hero has spoken of his pride at being asked to carry the torch through his adopted home city.

In less than two weeks, the fabled flame will pass through Sussex on the way to London for the global sporting event.

Among the dozens of inspiring people and community heroes to carry the torch will be figure skater Robin Cousins, who won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 1980.

The 54-year-old, who lives in Brighton and Hove, will be the first person to carry the torch when it arrives in the city on July 16.

He told The Argus: “Being a part of London 2012 as a Team Great Britain Ambassador is a great honour, and being part of the torch relay is the icing on the cake.

“Having hosted the Torvill and Dean torch skate last week I became quite emotional with memories of my own Olympic win and what representing your country means.

“Running in front of friends and family through my adopted home town of Brighton and Hove will have me beaming with pride, no matter what the weather.”

Torch in Sussex

The torch will enter Sussex on July 16 in Rogate before travelling through Chichester, Bognor, Worthing and Lancing.

After arriving in Hove, Mr Cousins will help the flame travel to an evening celebration in front of 10,000 people at Sussex County Cricket Ground in Cromwell Road.

It will set off to Hastings the following day from the Royal Pavilion, via Lewes, Eastbourne and Bexhill.

Earlier this week The Argus revealed one in three torchbearers in Sussex do not live in the county.

Among those selected are people from Germany, France and Sweden, chosen by sponsors as well as those who have worked on preparations for the Olympics.

Robbie Raggio, of Hove Car Wash, was one of the unsuccessful nominees despite being suggested by former city mayor Geoff Wells for his charitable work.

In the last eight years Mr Raggio said he has raised £1.2 million for good causes.

He said: “I got right down to the last few. I’d even started training down at the gym. It’s absolutely disgusting.

"How they can give it to people like that when I’m a Sussex man born and bred I will never know. I will not watch any of the opening or closing ceremony.”

Follow the Olympic Torch in Sussex with The Argus

The Olympic Torch travels through Sussex on Monday, July 16 and Tuesday, July 17.

Readers can follow the relay as it progresses via the live blog on the day, including reports from Argus reporters.

To find out the route see the Olympic Torch relay map for Sussex.

Details of the route schedule and torch bearers also feature on The Argus's dedicated Olympic Torch Relay page.

Follow the Olympic Torch across the county and share what you have seen on Twitter by using the #SussexTorch hashtag.