The ex-rugby international turned mountaineer and adventurer will carry the torch on Saturday 26th May at 5.45pm on Langdon Road near Norwegian Church to Sail Bridge near Riverside Path in Swansea.
Parks was nominated to carry the torch by hundreds of people after he became the first ever person to climb the highest mountain on each of the world’s seven continents and stand on all three poles within seven months, creating a new world record as well as raising hundreds of thousands of pounds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.
He will carry the torch just over a year since he summited Mount Everest. This time last year Richard was on the highest mountain in the world on the seventh leg of his incredible 737 Challenge and he finally stood on the summit of Mount Everest at 7.24am local time on 25th May 2011. Richard then went on to complete his 737 Challenge and set a new benchmark in the climbing of the seven summits.
“I am really excited now,” said Parks.
“From the day that London won the bid to host the Olympics I have been genuinely excited about the prospect of the Olympics coming to Britain and to have been nominated by the general public to be one of the lucky torchbearers is just incredible.”
Since completing his 737 Challenge, life has been non-stop for Richard with an intense media and appearance schedule and endless fundraising in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. There have been some fantastic moments, from the hero’s welcome home in Cardiff to winning awards such as Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year. Carrying the Olympic Flame will be another unforgettable experience.
“The last 18 months have been just an incredible journey for me, however being a small part of the Olympics in Britain is a moment that I and my family will cherish forever,” added Parks.
“With only days to go I am genuinely like a young child at Christmas! I can’t wait until Saturday. I hope the sun stays out and everyone can come along and cheer me along the route – I know it will be an awesome day.”
