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Anyone but Torvill and Dean...

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I would not be surprised if Jessica Ennis lights the flame.

Sir Steve means Sir Matt is often overlooked; Between them, the most successful British Olympians, so maybe them together?

Christine O is disliked by large amounts of UK sports fans for her discretions with the anti-doping authorities (whatever one believes over her guilt or not, she did say she would quit UK sport if they didn't readmit her and said she would race for another nation), so maybe count her out.

The Armed Forces should get their moment - marching in the Olympic Flag, a band from the Coldstream Guard or some of 'in stadium' bearers, but the final cauldron lighter (is the cauldron even going to be in the stadium?) should be a famous Olympic Athlete.

Anyone but Seb.
Steve Ovett would be perfect.

I think Kelly Holmes is a good shout, multiracial, double Olympic champion, well known and respected etc..

Think Sir Steve and Daley are tad too old for the current generation to recognise and giving it to Seb Coe would suggest a hint of a 'boys club' mentality and could cause lots of people to get angry etc.. you can almost see the headlines now if he did it after the ticketing fiasco!

Think giving it to someone whose competing is a big ask as it could distract them or put too big a pressure on them!? If it was then Chris Hoy would be my choice...

Beckham, agreed he's well known globally, does a lot for charity and so forth but he's a footballer not an Olympian!

Otherwise the armed forces is a nice idea, maybe a bunch of them could be part of the opening ceremony and do some sort of rope ascent into the cauldron and light it that way, there you go Danny Boyle, problem solved :-)

Why not one (or more) of the many servicemen and women who have fought in various wars, including the World Wars.

They represent the good people in this country who treat our island with respect and want it to stay safe for the rest of us.

Whoever gets the honour it won't be a popular choice (probably!). Everyone has their own 'favourite' and rational for choosing the person (or perhaps method!). It won't be the armed forces as has been previously said many, many times, the IOC does not look favourably on the military being involved so you can count that option out.

I think (and I have no basis for this argument) that it will be a group of people somehow involved and then some type of mechanism. The group of people representing the diversity of London and then an industrial mechanism representing the birthplace of the industrial revolution. I can see Danny Boyle making that work really well and then avoiding the 'wrong choice' of person.

Certainly not the poser and male model Buckham or Coe who is culpable for the ticket fiasco. Ohourogus 3 missed drugs and subsequent ban means she could never be considered. I believe Daley Thompson or Steve Ovett would be ideal popular candidates.

Ultimately The Olympics are a sporting event so the 'firestarter' should ideally be someone from that realm. The comments about Daley Thompson and Steve Redgrave not being relevant to the 'current' generation make me a little bit sad. Thompson in particular was one of the most exciting, talented, dedicated and charismatic sportsmen that we have ever seen from these islands - there is no one who could embody the Olympic spirit more than him in my view.

If he is not 'relevant' to younger generations perhaps it is about time he was - he came long before the X-Factor / Reality TV era when talent and hard work alone were a bare minimum needed to acheive success. I suppose if we saw Daley Thompson gurning on Strictly Come Dancing that would make him more of a role model to today's generation?

Armed forces is clearly a silly idea as they will have been fighting against some of the competing nations, just because theyre the british armed forces doesn't make them morally better than anyone else.

For sheer comedy value i'd like to see boris johnson on a penny farthing bike, possibly attempting to do a jump on it

At the Manchester Commonwealth Games they had a kind of relay round the track of all the really big names and I think that would be a good idea - a lot of the above mentioned athletes, like Chris Hoy, Jessica Ennis, Daley Thomson, Kelly Holmes, Matt Pincent, Rebecca Addlington (although not Beckham because he has nothing to do with the Olympics). I suspect Tom Daley may be a popular choice, although I think there are plenty other athletes out there who deserve the chance just as much, if not more, than he does. My choice would be Redgrave, just because he is the pinnacle of British sport and an inspiration to every GB athlete competing at those Games.

The Armed Forces is a good shout, but it won't happen - too political

That leaves only two options; Sir Steve, or a member of the public (maybe even somebody that didn't get any tickets in the ballot)

Gotta be Boris!

Hasn't Coe ruled himself out? Otherwise, it might have been nice to see Coe and Ovett race each other to the flame - first one there lights it.

Other options - not Olympic-y, but how about Jonny Wilkinson drop-kicking the flame into the cauldron (ideally over the heads of the Australian team), or Kevin Pietersen switch-hitting it?

More seriously, you mention Princess Anne - wouldn't be surprised if a certain nephew of hers, currently in Canada, was being considered...

James Corden, obviously.

Whilst the Armed Forces is a lovely idea - not sure how some of the competing teams - say from Iraq or Afghanistan or Libya would feel about that? May cause some discomfort amongt their teams (if they enter any!). We need someone who is an all round athlete and a sporting icon and they dont come any bigger than Sir Ian Botham. Whilst not an Olympian he embodies everything that is Great about Brittain. I can see it now - Beefy running up the steps to light the Flame - would be the publics choice. Failing that then yes - have to go for Boris Johnson.

Sir Roger Bannister. It would round out a great life of service.

The choice is huge for a deserving torch bearer.
My personal choice would be Kelly Holmes

I would like redgrave to light it.As for not being remembered , he was a champion in 2000 and a 5 time gold medalist ( not to mention a bronze he picked up in 1988 along with his gold). Holmes was a champion in 2004, so hardly that current either.

Thompson et al will play a part. Remember they have athletes carrying the olympic flag.

I like Beckham but I hope they would not ask him to do it.

A survivor from the 7/7 bombing. It was the day after the announcement that it would be London to host the games.

From a football fan's perspective, I believe that Sir Bobby Charlton should be given the honour in lighting the Olympic Flame, based on the fact that, after the horrific ordeal that occured in Munich, he went on to become possibly the best football England has ever produced, with this accolade being supported by him being a key part of the only England team ever to win the World Cup in 1966. I also believe that Sir Bobby should get it not just for his footballing career, however also for the work he has done ever since hanging his boots up, with regards to charity work and the development of youth systems in Manchester. I cannot see a more fitting person than Sir Bobby for the task, unless we give it to the Mayor of London himself, Boris Johnson the lid.

Pippa Middleton in lycra!

Sir Roger Bannister is a great shout! One of the truly great iconic sporting moments!

I like many if not all your suggestions plus if you wanted to emulate barcellona how about Fatima Whitbread or Tessa Sanderson? I am glad however that you finally came up with the only possible suggestion! If he was willing to switch the Saville Row suit for his old athletic gear what could possibly be more emotional than the sight of Seb Coe (Lord Coe I should say) running up to light the flame - the mere thought of it has me "welling up" , the sight should give the whole nation a lift!

Got to be DAVID HAYE. He can sell it back to us on pay per view.

Amir Khan and Tanny Gray Thompson together.

To fulfil Britains love of celebrity, Katy Price would be a tremendous choice.

Daley Thompson. He could run the first 800m, then pole vault onto the steps. He can hurdle his way to the top, then throw the torch like a javelin to light the flame.

Sir Bobby Charlton is the most iconic and significant English sportsman of all time. He is the best man for the job and most deserving of the honour. Does anybody think that in 2016 in Rio it will not be Pele that lights the flame?

A Gold medalist from the 1948 Olympics

Going on the great success our cyclist had in China wouldn't it be great to see them riding around the stadium before they ride upto where ever the torch is to be lit and hey presto jump over and light the flame

Why don't we have a ballot? it worked well for the tickets.. eh? Oh

Rongunn firstly , this is a British olympics. Secondly if Charlton is so iconic how come Daley Thompson was voted by the British puiblic as our best ever sports star , albeit that the vote occurred before redgrave got his 5th Gold. Thirdly, wha link does charlton hae to the Olympics. Pele is a brazillian ambassador for many sports not just football.

Bobby Charlton would not make it up the steps, besides he is associated with Man Utd, it has got to be someone with universal appeal.

Whomever the choose, it is normally kept as a secret , though it leaks. Ali @ atalanta and freeman in Sydney were iconic moments.

I reckon we could save a few bob and get a foreign worker in to do it for us. Either that or some Chav lads.

nothing says Britain like Chavs and Immigration.

Kris Akabusi - Awooga!

David Attenborough.

Do it.

John Ameche - ticks so many boxes in our politically correct country, and on top of that, he's as globally recognised than most of our olympians (moreso outside of the UK than in). He also does a lot of work with charities and youngsters in this country so I think he's an ideal candidate.

(for those that may not recognise the name, he's an English former NBA player

What about the legend that is Chris Akabusi. Everyone love Chris.

Roy 'chubby' Brown!!

It has just got to be Sir Steve Redgrave! Five successive Gold medals is absolutely amazing and he has earned the honour.

Armed forces is a bad idea. Crass and vulgar. Nothng to do with sport and everything to dio with politics. It's bad enough when they come abseiling off the roof at Twickenham.

Just get a sports woman/man to do it who was at the top of there game consistently for many years.

Redgrave springs to mind, but maybe there's someone older who hasn't been recognised enough so far.

Agree withthose who say that whilst representatives from the Armed services would be a nice toucch it would likely cause too much controversy. If we're going to have non Olympians then a better choice might be survivors of the July 7th bombings which of course took place the day after London won the bid to stage the games.

If it's to be an Olympian my personal choice would be Daley Thompson & sod anyone who thinks they're not relevant to modern generations. I don't see that matters - the likes of Jesse Owens, Ali, Mary Peters, David Hemery all competed before my time but I can still admire & marvel at their achievements.

I would rather not have a current Olympian as I think it would put too much pressure on them. I know Cathy Freeman came through & won but it still heaped far too much pressure on her shoulders. It's why I hope we don't have a face of the Games as it can turn out badly too - I remember the tormented look on Liu Xiang's face when injury thwarted him in Beijing and wouldn't want to put any of our athlete's through that. We have a number of top athletes across different sports so we don't need to single one person out.

There will also be other honours available to the current olympians. They can run with the torch in their home town on it's route e.g. Tom Daley in Plymouth or Jess Ennis in Sheffield. There will also be a flag bearer in the ceremony itself. This is an honour available at every games of course but it will have particular resonance in a home games. Chris Hoy or Ben Ainslie would be great candidates here as it usually goes to an experienced athlete. There will also be a British athlete taking the oath on behalf of all competing athletes. If Paula Radcliffe competes I think she would be a great candidate as she's been a great campaigner against drug cheats in athletics.

Whatever happens David Bechham's name should not even be mentioned - that would be an insult to all of our past & present Olympians.

I believe it should be Lance Corporal Johnson Gideon Beharry our last recipient of the Victoria Cross.

He has a multi-cultural heritage, he is a modern figure, he is a real life bonafide hero and it would just be fitting I think. In this country we rightly revere our men & women in uniform and I think it would be right to have them represented in this way.

It would be nice to have those who have served the country, their towns, communities etc to give them a chance of representing what is apparantly the greatest show on earth.

Personally, I'm still getting over the fact that i no only 3 people (and they are friends, friends) who got tickets... Bitter - yes.... Once again and most probably for the rest of my life, Money and power will over throw any genuine support.

I am very disappointed and will be withdrawing my application for volunteering.

Boris Johnson, on a bicycle. Let him finish what he started in inimitable style 4 years ago. A ramp up to the Olympic flame, Boris in an ill fitting suit astride a rusty old Raleigh with a basket on the front. On the very edge of the flame, he wobbles, emits a cry and falls in. The flame erupts, Boris is vapourised and a dodgy brass band strikes up a rousing chorus of "I've got a luvly bunch of coconuts". Pure poetry...

Benjy (No3 at 10:11am) writes: ".....I wouldn't be surprised if Jessica lights the flame" - for my money she would light the flame of most chaps - however, it needs to be someone who has made a notable contribution to sport, possibly, but not necessarily the Olympics. My candidate would not be someone from the football world, for obvious reasons, nor from the rugby world.

I have three possibles. IF he were to win at Wimbledon next year, I'd nominate Andy Murray, otherwise, Amy Williams who made such an impression in the Winter Oympics on her skeleton, and third I'd nominate Ellie Simmonds, the star Paralympic swimmer.

Lennox Lewis - Born in London, won a gold medal for Canada, became undisputed Heavyweight Champion representing Britain and known around the world

It's got to be Keith Prodigy... He's the firestarter, the twisted firestarter...

Who else?!!!!

Sir Roger Bannister for me. Most famous sportsman the UK has produced imho

Certainly not Redgrave, what for Rowing? Might as well give it to Eddie the Eagle or an Archer.

Audley Harrison

How do you get masses of TV sponsorship deals arranged? By ensuring that everyone will tune into watch a global icon light the torch. Step forward David Beckham.

How do you make it relevant? By ensuring he plays a key role in the 2012 GB Soccer team.

Et Voila. Personally, I think it would be a wonderful gesture to give it to Tom Daley, but if people think ti will be anyone but Beckham you are sorely deluded

Sir Roger Bannister. Not only did he break one of sport's iconic barriers but he did it with a combination of determination and joy that we don't see much of these days. Then he packed it all in and became a doctor, reminding us all that sport is a just a game!

Got some bad news for you all ... it's going to be David Beckham.

Should not be Armed Forces - the Olympics are about sport - LC Beharry above is undoubtedly a true hero but he may well have been involved in the killing of people from other nations competing in the Olympics so hardly '5 rings' spirit.

I could not think of anyone better than Redgrave until someone mentioned Roger Bannister above - is he still in good health?

Most people will want to see Jess Ennis light the flame.. After all she lights the flame of most blokes!!..

But I suggest David Hemery - UKA president & 400H champion from 1968.. Will be good cos Dai Greene will hopefully medal in London

Beckham was the most unsuccessful England captain in history, although probably the biggest poser, male model and exhibitionist. He should have Katy Price by his side for the lighting of the torch.

54.
At 13:59 5th Jul 2011, Ben Dirs - ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport wrote:

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Spot on #44 Sorry, but just have to disagree with the people (eg #4, #46) who think it should be someone from the armed forces? What the heck has war got to do with sport? Even if they were linked, people around the world DON'T LIKE our armed forces. This is nothing against individuals in the armed forces, and especially nothing against war veterans, WWII in particular, but a sporting platform is NOT the place to recognise war/ armed forces efforts -they should be kept separate. (To go further, I completely disagree with some of our illegal wars, and think that FA cup finals, Olympics etc should not be used to legitimise war -just cos you like sport (and I love sport) doesn't mean you support a war, the two don't imply one another so why does this happen? And in regards to the olympics, it's not just about us anyway, the whole world will be watching!) It should be someone who has made a long lasting contribution to sport (and someone from a sport where the Olympics is their pinnacle, eg athletics and not football etc) adn who has world-wide acclaim, plenty of good suggestions above though

We should get Simon Cowell to Judge people on stage and the public can vote for it and all the money raised from it can be used to fund future para/olympians.

"I should light the olympic flame because...."

Elaine, from TV's people on the toilet.

To give it a cultural twist and draw a line straight through the 'who in sport' should do this, how about Ray Winstone, big overcoat, cigarette in mouth, strolls across to the last leg carrier, lights up from the torch flames, climbs the stairs, takes a looonnng pull on his tab and chucks it onto the 'big one'. Walks away...."Sorted, let the games begin!"

We already know!
David Tennant ;)

Someone from that "amazing" and "inspirational" Coca-Cola advert. You know, that one where the guy is camping and then runs off with a burning log and carries it on the motorway like its a torch. The Coca-Cola Olympic Flame can be carried by a Coca-Cola "ambassadors" like this one, wearing lots of Coca-Cola branded clothing. The torch should be marked with some kind of branding too, naturally.

This, after all, is what the McDonalds MasterCard 2012 Coca Cola Olympics are all about. I also hope that there are lots of large, aggressive guys wearing powder blue tracksuits and earpieces that follow the torch around wherever it goes. Just like the Beijing Torch Relay in 2008. That was so nice.

I think it should be Daley Thompson or Steve Redgrave. Or how about a sporting youngster from Statford, representing not just the area and the UK, but also the future legacy of the games.

maxmerit dont hate the player hate the game son

Not really a debate, as decisions go this is an easy one! Whilst all the other serious options above deserve an honourable mention, particularly Daley Thompson; Sir Steve Redgrave has to the light the flame. This is the Olympic Games in Britain and he is Britain's greatest Olympian! Even Simon Cowell would vote for him!

Almost all of my choices have already been mentioned, with the exception of one. Derek Redmond. Let him finish what he started in Barcelona with one of the most inspirational things I've ever seen on a track. Either him, or Bryn Parry.

@ #55 - are you serious? Do you think the Olympics is going to be difficult to market?

I'd like to see a sports person for a sporting event. Having chuckled at the (presumably Man Yoo supporting) person who claimed Bobby Charlton as our "greatest and most iconic" sportsman, I think there are a wealth of former Olympians to choose from.

My one plea would be to please, please not select somebody on the grounds that they are multi-racial or other non-sporting grounds. That would be ridiculous. Select people on the basis of their achievements in and around their sport (by all means including the charity and community work that goes with it) and you will find that there will be people of all kinds of backgrounds.

My shortlist would be Steve Redgrave, Daley Thompson, Roger Bannister, Coe (although he might be wise to step aside given his involvement) and Ovett, Tanni Grey-Thompson, David Weir, Kelly Holmes.

I've probably missed a few.

The Chuckle Brothers. I can picture it now, "to me to you", Barry Chuckle dropping the Olympic torch, "oh dear oh dear oh dear". I would pay a fortune to watch that, if I could get a ticket that is!

Seriously though, it's got to be Redgrave.

Boris Johnston, you can just see him climbing, no sprinting up the olympic steps with the whole world watching on, makes you feel so proud to be English....brings a lump to my throat... and a tear to my eye.

It isn't so much who it should be; there are many many worthy candidates; as who it shouldn't be and it shouldn't be anyone from sports where the Olympics play second or third fiddle, like football, nor should it be anyone overly political and if anyone like this does eventually light the flame, it'll simply prove that Britain is incapable of doing ANYTHING properly

@62 You seem really bitter and angry and don't seem to recognise the nature of the games. Johnson Gideon Beharry(my choice) is a modern day inspirational figure with a multicultural heritage it has nothing to do with glorifying war.

And although it has nothing to do with my suggestion perhaps you should read up on the history of the olympics and some of the events.

Take the marathon you do know what that is based on don't you? And the ancient olympic games had an event called the Hoplitodromos.

Wanting someone such as Johnson Gideon Beharry to do it has nothing to do with the Army or War. Your last 3 lines in your comment are the only ones you should've posted. The rest of it is just babbling. Choose someone for who they are, not what they wear if you can't see that then you are missing the point of the Olympics/Sport in general in this modern age.

Chris Bonnington to climb the steps. David Attenborough to supply life to the flame.

It is preposterous to say you think someone should do it based on racial background. Isn;t that the exact definition of Racist.

Redgrave and Pinsent for me. by far the greatest embodiment of british sport and success

Audley Harrison - Former gold medalist and a credit to the nation.

sir steve redgrave should be given the honour as one of your greatest olympians

38.
At 13:26 5th Jul 2011, Grampus_2012 wrote:

Kris Akabusi - Awooga!


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Wasn't John Fashanu the one who used to say awooga?

I think Kelly Holmes or Steve Redgrave

How about Britains oldest Olympian (whoever he/she is)? The Olympic spirit isn't summed up by those that win the most, or are the most popular. Its about:
- competing to the best of your ability, against the best from other nations; and
- both recognising and making olympic history

It has to be Sir Steve Redgrave. I can't imagine anyone else comes close. Although the organisers will no doubt plump for a David Beckham to get greater international interest.

If we can't pick a candidate on the merits of the candidate, let's design a spectacular ceremony that fits around the skills of the person we choose. The Spanish archer would've looked pretty stupid just walking up to the torch and lighting it, for example. It needs to be something that fits British skills, shows off the best of British talent and is a visual spectacle to boot.

What about building a cycling track around the flame and having the men's pursuit team cycle round with it, peeling off race-style and handing it to each other as they go, until Chris Hoy does a one-lap sprint round the track, grabs it off Wiggins and rides up to the top of the track to light the flame? Gis a job, ceremony designers, I can do that :)

Having read through some of the comments Roger Bannister is a good shout too. I'd like to throw Gail Emms into the mix. Gotta love a bit of Badminton. #nobiaswhatsoever

If not Redgrave, then they might as well go for a novelty choice.

I see the Olympics as passing on the baton from each Games as well as on the athletics track. Therefore my suggestion is to find one of the family from Britain's Gold medallists from the original 1896 Games (John Pius Boland or Lanceston Elliot) and get them to light the flame.

Redgrave won five golds in a minority Team sport, Thompsons individual decathlon gold over 10 track and field events way surpasses that, from any perspective.

why don't we all pay £100 and buy a ticket. The tickets go into a draw and the winner gets to light it . I'm sure some genius can come up with a transparent flawless plan to ensure this is done in a fair manner?

seriously got to be Daley T. what a sportsman!

I like the Gary Glitter suggestion

Margareth Thatcher (if shes still alive at the opening). Definately not a royal or military personnel. If an agrrement is not reached then the honourable mayoral Boris Johnson can certainly do the honours

Prince William

Steve Redgrave without a doubt. He's our greatest ever Olympian so the honour should be his.

Well obviously it should be a person of colour preferably with major non British associations. Otherwise David Beckham or Katie Price.
What medal did Princess Anne win in 1976 ?

Has to be Sir Steve Redgrave or Daley Thompson.

Would be a huge shame if Beckham or Coe were chosen.

I would certainly prefer Pat Butcher over the male model Beckham.

Louise Hazel please

It should be one of the Great British Public picked via an Olympics themed typically tacky reality TV show hosted by Ant and Dec - or maybe Boris and Seb!

I have no problem with Sir Steve Redgrave, Daley Thompson and Dame Kelly Holmes having the job.

A name not mentioned so far is Ben Ainslie, 3 time gold medalist, hopefully going for his 4th in London (or should that be Weymouth!!). Known amonst his peers as probably one of the best sailors in the world...ever.

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson to open the Paralympics.

Otherwise it's got to be The Pub Landlord, Al Murray. He'll soon put the rest of the world right.

Phil 'the Power' Taylor!