He had a whole corner of the clubhouse to himself, with a reclining chair and a private big-screen TV, so that he could find comfort and relaxation amid the naturally chaotic media atmosphere.
Locog chair Sebastian Coe said the relay would take the 2012 Games to almost every corner of the UK, saying: "Now everyone is invited to plan their welcome and find out where they can go to be part of this historic occasion, " he said.