Champions League Trophies Complete City Journey
The official trophies of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Women’s Champions League have been handed over to the city of London, the host of this season’s UEFA Champions League final and UEFA Women’s Champions League final, at a special ceremony in Whitehall, following an unusual trip across the city.
UEFA president Michel Platini handed the UEFA Champions League trophy over to Hugh Robertson, UK minister for sport, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy was handed to Kate Hoey, MP and mayor of London’s commissioner for sport, for the city of London to keep until the finals.
The 2013 UEFA Women’s Champions League will be played at Stamford Bridge on 23rd May and Wembley will stage the 2013 UEFA Champions League final two days later, on 25th May.
UEFA President Michel Platini said: ‘The 2013 London finals and the UEFA Congress mark the Football Association’s 150th anniversary. I would like to thank the FA for all their help in delivering what I believe will be yet another fantastic celebration of European football, in London, a city with such a strong football heritage. All players want to win this iconic silverware and I am delighted to hand it over to the city of London for safekeeping.’
The official handover followed an unusual trip across London, with two passengers in particular surprising London commuters on Friday morning.
The UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies travelled across the capital on public transport to celebrate the return of the respective finals to London in May.
Hundreds of Londoners had the opportunity to get close to the iconic trophies as they were escorted by Champions League ambassador’s Graeme Le Saux and Faye White.
The journey started from Stamford Bridge, home of the reigning UEFA Champions League champions Chelsea FC and ended at Banqueting House, Whitehall, ahead of the official trophy handover ceremony.
The trophies made their journey via London Underground – celebrating its 150th anniversary this year – via the new Routemaster bus and a classic black cab.
Check out highlights of the trip at Sport Industry TV.
The official trophies of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s Champions League will be on show at the annual UEFA Champions Festival on 23rd to 26th May, part of a week of activity taking place across London.
The free four-day football celebration, featuring a series of family-friendly activities, will be the first major event to come to the home of the 2012 London Olympics since last summer, taking place on The International Quarter close to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Graeme Le Saux added: ‘Taking the trophies on the tube and bus was a great way to start the day and I’m sure it brightened up some of the commuters’ morning. It’s not every day you get to see the most prestigious trophies in European club football on public transport. The London Underground, bus and black cabs are iconic images of London and fitting that we should be taking the trophies on this journey, giving people the opportunity to get excited ahead of the finals.’
