Lighting flame at Opening Ceremony [Archive]

ChiswickEagle

25-07-2012, 09:13 PM

Great secrecy about this.

For me, Wiggins or Redgrave.

Or, in Jubilee year, would love it to be the Queen

SpikeyMatt

25-07-2012, 09:18 PM

It'll be the captain of the University of Huddersfield's Rugby League 5th team that will do it having lit one of his farts.

Either him, or Redgrave.

pardew's shorts

25-07-2012, 09:52 PM

Wiggins would be my choice, and highly deserving (easy to forget his three golds), but I suspect the decision was made before last Sunday...

If it is to be an Olympian, I guess it sort of has to be Sir Steve, but he is kind of boring.

It depends on the method of lighting too, I guess. They sort of had to choose an archer in Barcelona...

London 2012 has already showed they aren't afraid to do different, so maybe it will be a local kid, or a serviceman or something.

I can't wait - testimony from those who've seen the rehearsals are overwhelmingly positive - and that's without the additional surprises.

I can't wait for the whole thing, in honesty. It's not quite sunk in that it's so soon to be honest. Even up to a few weeks ago it felt like it was months or years away. Naturally there are plenty of moans and grumbles (in probably the worst country in the world for moans and grumbles), but I think it's going to be just extraordinary - for London, for Britain, for sport and the Olympic movement. I don't think there are any words too hyperbolic to describe how massive it is having the games in my home town.

I do think it will be a truly special games - in an amazing, vibrant city which already has a wonderful atmosphere bubbling, in some iconic venues (including the Olympic Park itself which is looking spectacular), in a city and and country which is truly sports mad.

There is some superb cultural stuff going on alongside too. A real treat for tourists, whether from New York, Rome, Tokyo or London itself.

Psychokiller

25-07-2012, 09:53 PM

Bet it's that Beckham wanker

pardew's shorts

25-07-2012, 09:56 PM

Bet it's that Beckham wanker

He's got another role in the ceremony.

FORZA SELHURST

25-07-2012, 10:07 PM

Maybe it'll be Cheryl what'sherface spitting flaming ping pong balls out her minge.

Queen suggestion is a good one - then throw he old twunt on the pyre. Add Thatcher for good measure.

stange555

25-07-2012, 10:31 PM

Daley Thompson for me. Met him once, he came to my school because his step mum was my teacher. Lovely bloke.

FORZA SELHURST

25-07-2012, 10:33 PM

I actually think Kelly Holmes would be a good shout.

FORZA SELHURST

25-07-2012, 10:49 PM

What I think it'll be is something a bit unusual. No, not Cheryl again but something like several people doing it simultaneously.

Howabout five folks with links to London and the olympics? Aren't the olympic rings meant to symbolise the five continents? So you could have Lennox Lewis, Farah and others with associations with London and those continents all lighting it simultaneously highlighting London's diversity and global nature. Or something.

Will that do? Invoice in the post.

Ade 70

25-07-2012, 10:53 PM

Ross McCormack?

Scrumpy

25-07-2012, 10:56 PM

Huntley. Ideally with him on top of it at the time

Joooe

26-07-2012, 02:33 AM

Wiggins would be my choice, and highly deserving (easy to forget his three golds), but I suspect the decision was made before last Sunday...

If it is to be an Olympian, I guess it sort of has to be Sir Steve, but he is kind of boring.

It depends on the method of lighting too, I guess. They sort of had to choose an archer in Barcelona...

London 2012 has already showed they aren't afraid to do different, so maybe it will be a local kid, or a serviceman or something.

I can't wait - testimony from those who've seen the rehearsals are overwhelmingly positive - and that's without the additional surprises.

I can't wait for the whole thing, in honesty. It's not quite sunk in that it's so soon to be honest. Even up to a few weeks ago it felt like it was months or years away. Naturally there are plenty of moans and grumbles (in probably the worst country in the world for moans and grumbles), but I think it's going to be just extraordinary - for London, for Britain, for sport and the Olympic movement. I don't think there are any words too hyperbolic to describe how massive it is having the games in my home town.

I do think it will be a truly special games - in an amazing, vibrant city which already has a wonderful atmosphere bubbling, in some iconic venues (including the Olympic Park itself which is looking spectacular), in a city and and country which is truly sports mad.

There is some superb cultural stuff going on alongside too. A real treat for tourists, whether from New York, Rome, Tokyo or London itself.Wiggins is competing on Saturday isn't he? Good chance he won't be there I guess.

I think Roger Bannister would be a good choice personally. Or there's a guy who won gold in 1948.

Someone a bit different to the norm.

herts_palace

26-07-2012, 08:57 AM

Dorothy Tyler for me although Mary Peters and Derek Redmond would be good choices as would an old Olympian and a young Olympian double act.

The Omen

26-07-2012, 09:02 AM

Wiggins is competing on Saturday isn't he? Good chance he won't be there I guess.

I think Roger Bannister would be a good choice personally. Or there's a guy who won gold in 1948.

Someone a bit different to the norm.

Won't the whole GB team be represented when they enter the stadium?

The Omen

26-07-2012, 09:02 AM

I would let Keith Lemon light it personally.

http://www.fhm.com/imgs/631/400/0/original/standard/83310/keith-lemon.jpgx

thehalifaxman

26-07-2012, 11:36 AM

maybe Seb Coe is going to light it himself the wanker

That or Audley Harrison. Probably Redgrave though

Selhurst Celtic

26-07-2012, 11:38 AM

Gordon Thompson might get the gig as part of his rehabilitation from the Croydon riots.

Louis

26-07-2012, 11:45 AM

Good BBC article on this -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18983272

Seagull Eater

26-07-2012, 12:05 PM

saying racist things will exclude Daley Thompson
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/9418536/London-2012-Daley-Thompson-accused-of-racism-after-Irish-gag-on-One-Show.html

civil eagle

26-07-2012, 12:34 PM

It will be Blair as according to his sainted wife we would never have got the cames without him

civil eagle

26-07-2012, 12:35 PM

Maybe it'll be Cheryl what'sherface spitting flaming ping pong balls out her minge.

Queen suggestion is a good one - then throw he old twunt on the pyre. Add Thatcher for good measure.

If its your first suggestion maybe Borris will use one of his wiff waff rackets to deflect it into the bowl

herts_palace

27-07-2012, 08:59 AM

I think Roger Bannister would be a good choice personally. Or there's a guy who won gold in 1948.

Someone a bit different to the norm.

Excellent call - I have just looked him up and he is David Bond. Roger Bannister is now favourite.

Fur cough

27-07-2012, 10:22 AM

John Terry.

Ade 70

27-07-2012, 11:26 AM

John Terry.

In honour of the Olympic ideal, he could be all inclusive and insult people of every nationality....before being doused in parafin and set alight.....as Brazil is the next host perhaps someone with a Brazilian linked name would step forward with the flame.....RIO?

Palestinian

27-07-2012, 11:41 AM

Some bizarre odds, Coral currently have James Bond as at 8/1 but Daley Thompson 10/1 and Kelly Holmes at 16/1
http://www.oddschecker.com/olympics/specials/olympic-specials/to-light-olympic-flame

Louis

27-07-2012, 12:07 PM

Some bizarre odds, Coral currently have James Bond as at 8/1 but Daley Thompson 10/1 and Kelly Holmes at 16/1
http://www.oddschecker.com/olympics/specials/olympic-specials/to-light-olympic-flame
But Redgrave and Bannister joint favourites.

JAS78

27-07-2012, 12:16 PM

The Queen

saves arguements

Disco

27-07-2012, 12:32 PM

Boris will "accidentally" set his crazy hair on fire from the torch and will then stumble headlong into the brasier taking Blair and Livingstone with him and igniting the flame.

Palacedog

27-07-2012, 12:36 PM

Bradley Wiggins will ride into the stadium on a bicycle (obviously ) with blazing tyres , the tyre will then shrink into the size of a football . Beckham will then chip the burning football into the Olympic cauldron.

James

27-07-2012, 12:39 PM

The Queen

saves arguementsIf any member of the ******* royal family lights the flame, there will be a very big argument from some quarters, I can assure you.

New LP

27-07-2012, 12:48 PM

I would like to see Russell Brand flounce up there and light the torch.

Although it'll probably be Sir Steve Redgrave (deservedly)

Joooe

27-07-2012, 12:57 PM

I would now like The Queen to do it. Just to annoy people.

Ade 70

27-07-2012, 12:58 PM

If any member of the ******* royal family lights the flame, there will be a very big argument from some quarters, I can assure you.

Whilst I realise that from your anti-monarchist point of view that a royal lighting the flame would be disappointing, I think that whoever is chosen will disappoint some quarters.

Like it or not they are internationally renowned icons of Britain and therefore for that reason alone have a degree of worthiness.

I reckon Beckham's lined up - and although I think he should have been in the GB football team, and has been a great ambassador, I'm not entirely comfortable with him doing it.

Redgrave is the probably the default choice and would cause the fewest number of hand-wringers

petertaylor11

27-07-2012, 02:50 PM

Bane-Let The Games Begin

Beckenham Boy

27-07-2012, 02:53 PM

Ron Noades

firesign

27-07-2012, 03:13 PM

It would be great if Roger Bannister got to light the flame. Not because he was the first man to break the four-minute mile, but because of this…

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/5033439/Roger-Bannister-80-years-old-but-still-plenty-left-in-the-tank.html

.....

Legend has it that Bannister, who missed out on a 1500 metres medal when favourite in Helsinki 1952, was an Olympic failure. Not true, as it turns out.

Rather less well-known is how, four years earlier as a teenage assistant to the GB team commandant, he proved our champion. For just as the opening ceremony was about to start in Wembley Stadium, it was suddenly discovered that the only team without a flag to march behind was Britain.

“I had to commandeer an Army jeep, find the commandant’s car with a flag inside and break the windows to grab it,” he says. “An army sergeant had to restrain a policeman who wanted to arrest me.” He probably broke the four-minute mile racing back to deliver it.

The anecdote raised a splendid thought. Sir Roger says he has no great ambitions left other than being “very curious to see how these grandchildren turn out – and how long I’ll be able to follow them”.

But what if the man who saved the day at the 1948 opening ceremony was to make our day by lighting the flame at the 2012 opening ceremony? “Oh, I think not,” he responds. “I think there are other figures far more deserving.”

Gark Moldberg

27-07-2012, 05:20 PM

It should be Keith Flint.

He's a fire starter.

LLCOOLSTEVE

27-07-2012, 05:33 PM

I reckon Beckham's lined up - and although I think he should have been in the GB football team, and has been a great ambassador, I'm not entirely comfortable with him doing it.

Redgrave is the probably the default choice and would cause the fewest number of hand-wringers

He is doing something on the river coming into the stadium.... not sure what but you heard it here first, driving a boat or something

tasty_snacks

27-07-2012, 08:03 PM

David Bond, only surviving gold medalist. Aided by members from the Pankhurst family.

LLCOOLSTEVE

27-07-2012, 09:13 PM

He is doing something on the river coming into the stadium.... not sure what but you heard it here first, driving a boat or something

Eh, i told you ;)

west country boy

27-07-2012, 09:34 PM

Well done you.

eaglejez

27-07-2012, 09:38 PM

I would now like The Queen to do it. Just to annoy people.

Haven't we had enough Elton this year :(

ChiswickEagle

27-07-2012, 09:42 PM

We have yet to see Boris.....he won't light it but may be part of it.....

Stellavista

27-07-2012, 10:00 PM

Can't they just light the flame from the burning head of Trevor Nelson?
He's taking the art of talking utter shite to a new level.

Blind_Eagle

28-07-2012, 01:05 AM

If any member of the ******* royal family lights the flame, there will be a very big argument from some quarters, I can assure you.

Yea, but to be fair, your "big argument" would actually cause less disturbance to the surface of the sea than a juvenile crab's accidental fart.

KYLIE MINEAGLE

28-07-2012, 02:50 AM

What I think it'll be is something a bit unusual. No, not Cheryl again but something like several people doing it simultaneously.

Howabout five folks with links to London and the olympics? Aren't the olympic rings meant to symbolise the five continents? So you could have Lennox Lewis, Farah and others with associations with London and those continents all lighting it simultaneously highlighting London's diversity and global nature. Or something.

Will that do? Invoice in the post.

Not that far off Forza.Inside info perchance? Did you get on at Ladbrokes:D

Hedgehog

04-08-2012, 08:58 PM

Where have they put the flame?

Chester

04-08-2012, 08:59 PM

End of the stadium. Right hand end as you look at it

Hedgehog

04-08-2012, 09:10 PM

End of the stadium. Right hand end as you look at it
Ah OK... didn't see it during the Mo race.

eaglejez

04-08-2012, 09:25 PM

Where have they put the flame?
See top of Adams left shoulder :p

http://db.tt/fDYv65bg

Hedgehog

04-08-2012, 11:33 PM

'X' marks the spot... :hi: