Who Will Light the Torch in London During Opening?

[j-a-m]

Is it really that important who lights the torch, compared to all the great athletic performances that are about to take place?

[Runnerz76]

I have a hunch that Kelly Holmes will light the torch...

[gh]

Is it really that important who lights the torch, compared to all the great athletic performances that are about to take place?

In the great scheme of things, most of the great performances will quickly fade into oblivion, while the torch lighter becomes immortal.

[portsea57]

Well, if Bradley wins the Tour de France ( remembering that he is a multiple Olympic medalist - including two golds), I think they should go with him.
Another thought, why not Mary Rand?
She is over - from the States - for the Olympics, and she was a great Olympian.

[kuha]

In the great scheme of things, most of the great performances will quickly fade into oblivion, while the torch lighter becomes immortal.

Can't tell if this is sarcastic or not. I'll extend the benefit of the doubt and assume it is.

[gh]

huh? what's there to be sarcastic about? The statement means what it says.

[kuha]

huh? what's there to be sarcastic about? The statement means what it says.

Then, in my opinion, it's a ridiculous statement.

[portsea57]

Is the chap who carried the torch into the stadium back in 1948 remembered?
Or is the chap who won the 10,000m better remebered?

[Daisy]

Then, in my opinion, it's a ridiculous statement.

The most memorable thing from Sydney was Freeman.

[gh]

huh? what's there to be sarcastic about? The statement means what it says.

Then, in my opinion, it's a ridiculous statement.

For track fans, absolutely. Note that I began with IN THE GREAT SCHEME OF THINGS.

In other words, the average shrub watching the Olympics on NBC. How do you think they'd do on an Olympic quiz 5 years from now?

[kuha]

Truly, I DO think that more people remember, say, Carl Lewis, than whoever lit the flame in 84 or 88 or 92. THe flame is part of the OG show-biz aspect--and, as such, people certainly DO remember that SOMEONE lit the flame (or at least that the flame got lit), but I'd wager that hardly anyone remembers that person's identity unless they were already very famous (Ali).

I'm wracking my brain here. Ron Clarke in '56, when he was a promising junior: a curious historical factoid. No idea of '60 or '64. Did a young woman light the thing in '68? Have no idea who that was. No idea for '72. In '76 a young couple lit it--one had the last name of Prefontaine. No idea in '80; or '84; or 88. Did the archer do his thing in '92? No idea of his name. It was Ali in 96: big name, very memorable. Freeman in 00: great symbolism, but her 400 victory was bigger. Don't know about '04 or '08.

So, perhaps, yes, that's precisely how out of touch I am. How many "general" Olympic fans could do any better? And now, let's compare that to the highest profile gold medalists from those Games...

[Cooter Brown]

Does it have to be a Summer Olympian? Eagle the Eagle is one of the best known Brits internationally.

When the rest of the world thinks "Britain" and "athletic achievement", Eddie the Eagle is absolutely the first name that comes to mind.

[gh]

Truly, I DO think that more people remember, say, Carl Lewis, than whoever lit the flame in 84 or 88 or 92.....

of course they do.... the second part of my statement was THAN MOST OF THE PERFORMANCES.

Lots of wiggle room there.

[Daisy]

When the rest of the world thinks "Britain" and "athletic achievement", Eddie the Eagle is absolutely the first name that comes to mind.

That's a shame. I have to admit that I've never seen him as more than a curiosity.

[Vault-emort]

I'm wracking my brain here. Ron Clarke in '56, when he was a promising junior: a curious historical factoid. No idea of '60 or '64. Did a young woman light the thing in '68? Have no idea who that was. No idea for '72. In '76 a young couple lit it--one had the last name of Prefontaine. No idea in '80; or '84; or 88. Did the archer do his thing in '92? No idea of his name. It was Ali in 96: big name, very memorable. Freeman in 00: great symbolism, but her 400 victory was bigger. Don't know about '04 or '08.

I'm about the same as you. I can add Paavo Nurmi (52), Hiroshima birthday boy in 64, Children of Owens/Ali or Rafer Johnson? in 84, young woman in 68 was a hurdler who competed in those Games I think.

[kuha]

Truly, I DO think that more people remember, say, Carl Lewis, than whoever lit the flame in 84 or 88 or 92.....

of course they do.... the second part of my statement was THAN MOST OF THE PERFORMANCES.

Lots of wiggle room there.

Enough wiggle room to make the comparison pretty comical. There is ONE lighting-of-the-flame and how many scores or dozens of gold-medal competitions? Thus, in this 1:150 ratio (or whatever it is), the flame lighter has a gigantic advantage in terms of recognition. Which isn't remotely the case in actuality. My complete skepticism stands.

[Daisy]

How about King Arthur? According to the mythology he is predicted to return in a time of dire need. That might even out-do Bejing.

[gh]

New candidate from today's Telegraph:

<<The guesswork veers wildly between the sensible and facetious. In a Huffington Post online poll, for instance, the options include David Beckham, Sebastian Coe, Daniel Craig as 007, Steve Redgrave, Margaret Thatcher, Roger Bannister, Albus Dumbledore (“it is a cauldron after all”, as the poll’s blurb usefully reminds), and Kelly Holmes.>>

[Daisy]

Albus Dumbledore

If we're going with a wizard we could get Merlin in on the act too. Or Alf Tupper, from the Wizard. Should be a home favourite for us on the board as he's a regular poster.

[j-a-m]

For track fans, absolutely. Note that I began with IN THE GREAT SCHEME OF THINGS.

In other words, the average shrub watching the Olympics on NBC. How do you think they'd do on an Olympic quiz 5 years from now?

NBC is creating the great scheme of things?

[portsea57]

Of course, for some idiots the fireworks display at the closing ceremony will be the most memorable thing of the whole Olympics.
BUT, I'll say it again, if Bradley Wiggins wins the Tour de France he's got to be the man with the torch - and maybe start a new tradition, and enter the stadium on his bike!

[Tuariki]

Of course, for some idiots the fireworks display at the closing ceremony will be the most memorable thing of the whole Olympics.
BUT, I'll say it again, if Bradley Wiggins wins the Tour de France he's got to be the man with the torch - and maybe start a new tradition, and enter the stadium on his bike!

Based on the histoy of recent winners too high a risk of an associated drug scandal.

[Flumpy]

Katie Price, assisted by Mump and Flump

I'll give her a call

[Randy Treadway]

I'm wracking my brain here. Ron Clarke in '56, when he was a promising junior: a curious historical factoid. No idea of '60 or '64. Did a young woman light the thing in '68? Have no idea who that was. No idea for '72. In '76 a young couple lit it--one had the last name of Prefontaine. No idea in '80; or '84; or 88. Did the archer do his thing in '92? No idea of his name. It was Ali in 96: big name, very memorable. Freeman in 00: great symbolism, but her 400 victory was bigger. Don't know about '04 or '08.

I'm about the same as you. I can add Paavo Nurmi (52), Hiroshima birthday boy in 64, Children of Owens/Ali or Rafer Johnson? in 84, young woman in 68 was a hurdler who competed in those Games I think.

Complete list is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pe ... c_Cauldron

[SteveP]

I'd go for Redgrave or Kelly Holmes, I think Coe would be an option if he wasn't too linked to the process. Beckham too would be a possibility if he was playing I think.

[IanS_Liv]

i'm now leaning towards Sir Chris Hoy. Sir Steve has to be the warm favourite now.

By the way, I heard a rumour that the Dambusters theme could be heard playing in the Olympic stadium during the week.

I wouldn't bet against Merlin making an appearance either.

[Conor Dary]

Wiggins would be very appropriate. Even Cavendish. What a finish.

[BBTM media]

Roger Bannister will be part of the in-stadium cauldron lighting. Love the irony of the man who ran the world's most famous Mile (a non-Olympic event) being part of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Go Sir Roger!

[IanS_Liv]

Wiggins would be very appropriate. Even Cavendish. What a finish.

I'd love that but the road race is the next day.

[gh]

i....
By the way, I heard a rumour that the Dambusters theme could be heard playing in the Olympic stadium during the week. ...

Paul Brickhill is lighting the torch?!

[IanS_Liv]

i....
By the way, I heard a rumour that the Dambusters theme could be heard playing in the Olympic stadium during the week. ...

Paul Brickhill is lighting the torch?!

They're going for the Wow factor and having the torch lit by a bouncing bomb launched from a Lancaster across a lake in the stadium.

[Conor Dary]

i....
By the way, I heard a rumour that the Dambusters theme could be heard playing in the Olympic stadium during the week. ...

Paul Brickhill is lighting the torch?!

They're going for the Wow factor and having the torch lit by a bouncing bomb launched from a Lancaster across a lake in the stadium.

Take that Merkel! I am sure the Greeks will be happy.

[Conor Dary]

Wiggins would be very appropriate. Even Cavendish. What a finish.

I'd love that but the road race is the next day.

It certainly won't be any England bowlers!

[meninblack]

Its going to be Pippa Middleton (in shorts)

[Randy Treadway]

Roger Bannister will be part of the in-stadium cauldron lighting. Love the irony of the man who ran the world's most famous Mile (a non-Olympic event) being part of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Go Sir Roger!

Anybody know how Sir Roger's health is these days? Is he up to a cauldron lighting task?

On the hand, if Ali could do it in 1996, anybody could.