Rugby School welcomes the Olympic Torch

The Olympic flame was carried through Rugby School this morning, one of the main sources of inspiration which led to the revival of the modern Olympic games.

It was French baron Pierre de Coubertin who founded the games in 1896.As a child, he had read the novel 'Tom Brown's Schooldays' which was based at Rugby School during the reign of Head Master Dr Thomas Arnold.

He was so taken by Arnold's ethos of personal achievement through sport, that he visited Rugby School twice, and stayed overnight in the chapel where Arnold was laid to rest.

This morning pupils played a game of Rugby dressed in historical sports clothes.

The flame was then carried in to school, past the Pierre de Coubertin plaque, the Chapel and then around the pitch.

Ironically, as the flame illuminated the school, Rugby was hit by apower cut.

But students were still able to gather in the chapel to hear a speech by former American hurdler Edwin Moses whose visit coincided with the torch's arrival.