Torchbearer Idowu 'full of emotion'
Phillips Idowu carried the Olympic Torch in Stratford on Saturday
British medal hopeful Phillips Idowu was "full of emotion" as he carried the Olympic Torch in Stratford - just a stone's throw from the Olympic Park in east London.
The triple-jumper was greeted by hundreds of excited well-wishers in Westfield, the shopping centre which thousands of ticket holders will pass through during the Games.
Idowu - who was born and raised in east London - appeared overwhelmed by the crowd's support, and tried to describe what it felt like to carry the torch on home turf.
"It's an amazing feeling. I'm full of emotion right now," he said.
"Being born, raised and schooled in east London, having the opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch in the home Games in front of my east London people... you guys have done me really proud.
"Thank you guys for coming out and hopefully in a couple of weeks' time I can make you guys proud also."
Idowu picked up a silver medal at the Beijing Games four years ago.
Earlier, the torch began its first full day in the host city at the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, and there was a party mood as thousands turned out around the newly-restored Cutty Sark clipper.
