Merseyside Fire-fighter nominated to carry Olympic Torch

Merseyside Fire-fighter nominated to carry Olympic Torch

Merseyside Fire-fighter nominated to carry Olympic Torch

23rd May 2011
A fire-fighter from Merseyside is one of the first people to be nominated to carry the Olympic Torch across the UK in 2012.

Across the UK 8, 000 people are required to carry the Olympic Flame during a seventy day journey around the entire country and games organisers have appealed to the public to nominate people in the community to participate in the relay. Liverpool City Council leader Councillor Joe Anderson said “We’re already looking at ways to celebrate the arrival of the torch in the city, but what we can say at this stage is that it will be a memorable evening during which our communities can become part of the buzz around the Olympic Games.”

Zico Ramos, who works as a fire-fighter for the Fire Service in Liverpool, was chosen for the honour by Andy Worthington, the Chair of the North West Committee of the 2012 Olympic Games, at a launch event on Wednesday 18 May.

Andy Worthington put forward the name of the Merseyside fire-fighter after hearing his inspirational story. While unemployed as a teenager, Zico had joined the Prince’s Trust and worked as a volunteer at for the fire service at Huyton Fire Station. This life changing event inspired him to train as a fire-fighter and he has since gone on to work at Belle Vale Fire Station.

Zico is also a boxing coach, and teaches young people at the station every week alongside his fellow fire-fighters. He previously appeared in the public eye in 2008 when, at the age of 24, he won boxing gold at the World Firefighters Games.

He told reporters that he was surprised to be chosen for the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch, adding that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “I’d jump at the chance if they choose me,” he said, adding that “The nomination is not just a great thing for me but also for the Fire Service. I see myself as representing them through this nomination.”

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