Olympic Torch Relay ends its 70 day nationwide tour at the Mayor of London's Host City Reception

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson, David Beckham OBE and Chairman of London 2012 Lord Coe today welcomed the final Olympic Flame torchbearer Amber Charles to the Mayor’s Host City Reception at London House, as the flame completed the last leg of its hugely successful 70 day tour.

Four million people have watched the flame travel through London in the past week. More than fourteen million people have seen the flame on a journey that's taken in 1000 towns and villages across the United Kingdom. It is now set to take centre stage at the Olympic Park tonight in images which will be beamed to an audience of billions across the world, igniting the 2012 Games and kicking off the greatest show on earth.

Ahead of its much-anticipated reappearance at the Opening Ceremony, the flame took pride of place in London’s Living Room atop City Hall. Today's reception marked the official opening of London House, the Mayor’s innovative business programme during the Games to showcase why the capital is the number one place in which to invest.

Speakers at the Host City Reception included Chairman of the Beijing Olympic Development Association Liu Qi, and Chairman and CEO of the Coca Cola Company Muhtar Kent. The reception kicked off a high-profile programme of events which will target key international investors, business leaders and innovators, with the aim of seizing the huge economic opportunities the 2012 Games represent as the eyes of the world are on London.

A stellar line up of companies, including Disney, Paramount Pictures, Telefonica, Time Warner and Tata Consultancy, have signed up to learn more about growth and investment opportunities through the London House programme.

The Mayor, David Beckham and Seb Coe also met 18 Young Ambassadors, who were part of London’s original delegation which travelled to Singapore as part of the capital's bid to be named Host City of the 2012 Games in 2005.

Information for media:

Pooled media footage for today’s events, including interviews with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, David Beckham and Seb Coe, has been provided by BBC London and PA.

Stills footage is available from Press Association

Video footage is available by emailing Vicki.loader@bbc.co.uk

For media enquiries please contact the Mayor of London’s 2012 Games Press Office on 020 7983 4070 or email 2012mayorspressoffice@london.gov.uk. Numbers not for publication.

As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

20 Years at #1: