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Torch-LIghter ??

Frayed Knot Jul 27 2012 07:05 AM

Upon which Brit gets bestowed the honor of lighting the torch in tonight's opening ceremony? Just guesses off the top of my head here. Others welcome. - Roger Bannister? Still alive at 83 - not sure how healthy/ambulatory. The upside is his place in one of the best-known track feats of the 20th century and the sentimental value (and oh how the British love that) as the elder reminder of England's glory days of having world-class track athletes. The downside being that he never won an Olympic medal. - Daley Thompson? Twice the gold medalist in the decathlon ('80 & '84) and four times the world record holder plus several world and European championships. The product of a Scottish mother and Nigerian father, he might be picked to show the multi-cultural face that Britain and Europe are becoming (if not always so quietly). - Sebastian Coe? Two-time gold medal winner (also during the boycott games of '80 & '84) in the 1500 meters and twice winner of the silver in the 800 (same games) Coe later went on to become an MP and has stayed active in both public and track life. Might also help (or maybe not) that he was part of the effort to bring the games to London. - Steve Ovett? Was Coe's main rival for several years in middle-distance running. Won 800 gold in 1980 and a bronze in the 1500. He and Coe once swapped the world record for the 1500 three times in a ten day period. Is probably a long shot due to a comparison to Coe, that he now lives in Australia, and that, IIRC, was a bit of an ornery sort in his day. Others? Margaret Court-Smith - not an olympian but I suspect a revered figure I hope they don't take the easy route and go with Beckham, or some royal

Fman99 Jul 27 2012 07:14 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Eddie the Eagle perhaps?

metirish Jul 27 2012 07:52 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

- Daley Thompson? Twice the gold medalist in the decathlon ('80 & '84) and four times the world record holder plus several world and European championships. The product of a Scottish mother and Nigerian father, he might be picked to show the multi-cultural face that Britain and Europe are becoming (if not always so quietly). apparently Daley didn't get the memo BBC sorry for Olympian’s anti-Irish slur over tattoo Tuesday, July 24, 2012 The BBC has apologised to viewers after decathlon great Daley Thompson made an anti-Irish joke. Thompson is understood to have damaged his hopes of lighting the Olympic cauldron after he was accused of racism. The Olympic champion, 53, was on BBC1’s The One Show when he made the remark about a torchbearer with a tattoo that read "Oylmpic". He joked the tattooist "must have been Irish" — before being told it was done in the US. The BBC issued an apology after admitting dozens of complaints were made, adding Thompson’s comments "were clearly meant as a joke". The corporation wrote: "Thompson’s comments about this were clearly meant as a joke, but we apologise if any offence was caused; it certainly wasn’t our intention. "Matt [Baker] corrected Daley straight away and Alex offered an on-air apology at the end of the show." Meanwhile, Lord Coe yesterday insisted his close friendship with Thompson would not affect the decision on who lights the cauldron on Friday. Steve Redgrave, Kelly Holmes, and Roger Bannister are the favourites to light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony. One blogger wrote: "His hopes of lighting the flame may have just disappeared with that remark!" The misspelt tattoo was in fact Jerri Peterson’s, a US-born woman chosen to carry the torch as part of this year’s relay. Daley’s comment follows the arrests of 25 far-right protesters for anti-Irish comments at a march in Liverpool celebrating the life of James Larkin.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 08:02 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Beckham, to make up for slighting him for the soccer team.

Frayed Knot Jul 27 2012 08:03 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Putting your foot in your mouth hurts even more when it's a spiked track shoe. "Steve Redgrave, Kelly Holmes, and Roger Bannister are the favourites to light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony." Redgrave - 5-time rowing gold medalist - 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 Holmes - double gold (2004) in 800 & 1500 "Daley’s comment follows the arrests of 25 far-right protesters for anti-Irish comments at a march in Liverpool celebrating the life of James Larkin." Those must have been some real nasty comments.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 08:05 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Of course, Doctor Who fans already know who lights the torch.

Edgy MD Jul 27 2012 08:30 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

"The tattooist must've been Irish" is insensitive and goofy, more than racist. Branding him as such, and sending that Greek triple-jumper home because of a stupid remark about African mosquitoes is not the sort of thing that's going to make worldwide brotherhood happen. Now that we're communicating 24-7, the only way to avoid making a fool out of yourself is to project an empty cipher of a public image, and then we get a bunch of Jeters.

metirish Jul 27 2012 08:38 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Edgy DC wrote: "The tattooist must've been Irish" is insensitive and goofy, more than racist. Branding him as such, and sending that Greek triple-jumper home because of a stupid remark about African mosquitoes is not the sort of thing that's going to make worldwide brotherhood happen. Now that we're communicating 24-7, the only way to avoid making a fool out of yourself is to project an empty cipher of a public image, and then we get a bunch of Jeters. agree Edgy, insensitive and goofy, fine, but it recalls stereotypes long held in that country.

Edgy MD Jul 27 2012 08:40 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

I interpreted it alternatively as a joke about the oy-heavy Dubliner accent. I may have that wrong, but certainly "Irish people talk different" isn't so bad as "Irish people are stupid idiots."

Ceetar Jul 27 2012 08:58 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Edgy DC wrote: I interpreted it alternatively as a joke about the oy-heavy Dubliner accent. I may have that wrong, but certainly "Irish people talk different" isn't so bad as "Irish people are stupid idiots." alternatively, it could've been "Irish people don't like that the olympics are in England and butchered the tattoo on purpose" no?

The Second Spitter Jul 27 2012 09:13 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Tony Adams.

Edgy MD Jul 27 2012 09:21 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Mary Rand. OE: Not going to work, as she now lives in the US and holds joint citizenship.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 09:33 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Right now, and it will likely be corrected soon, Wikipedia is listing the torch lighter as Paddington Bear. I kind of like going the completely fictional route.

metsmarathon Jul 27 2012 09:51 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

paddington bear?! oh, bother.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 09:55 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

metsmarathon wrote: paddington bear?! oh, bother. No, that's Winnie the Pooh. Also English. Also fictional. They could get Mary Poppins to fly up to the cauldron with her umbrella.

seawolf17 Jul 27 2012 10:03 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

I've read that the esteemed Ms. Poppins will be included in the ceremony, as will Mr. Potter and friends/enemies.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 10:34 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

How 'bout John Cleese silly walking up to the cauldron? Keith Richards lighting up and then lighting up? Margaret Thatcher carried on a litter over the backs of the working class?

metsmarathon Jul 27 2012 11:11 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Mets – Willets Point wrote: metsmarathon wrote: paddington bear?! oh, bother. No, that's Winnie the Pooh. Also English. Also fictional. exactly my point. pooh bear is the more deserving ursine brit.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 12:05 PM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

metsmarathon wrote: metsmarathon wrote: paddington bear?! oh, bother. No, that's Winnie the Pooh. Also English. Also fictional. exactly my point. pooh bear is the more deserving ursine brit. Perhaps, since Paddington is an immigrant from Deepest, Darkest Peru and Pooh is English-born and bred. On the other hand, Paddington actually lives in the host city whereas Pooh lives out in the woods somewhere.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 01:51 PM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

We should know soon. Unless you're in the USA watching NBC, then you'll know late tonight. The shit NBC is pulling is so ridiculous in the internet age.

Ceetar Jul 27 2012 02:08 PM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

[url]http://deadspin.com/5929680/how-to-watch-the-london-olympics-opening-ceremony-live-and-give-the-finger-to-nbc

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 02:09 PM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Watching via http://atdhe.eu/. The opening ceremonies are batshit insane/awesome so far.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 27 2012 02:23 PM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

No Spoilers!

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 02:30 PM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Shit I can't make up: James Bond & the Queen skydive into the stadium.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 02:31 PM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: No Spoilers! Fuck that. That's what NBC wants. Don't read the thread.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 03:19 PM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Beckham driving a speedboat down the Thames with the torch.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 27 2012 06:20 PM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

And the answer is: Seven teenage atheletes representing the future: Katie Kirk, Desiree Henry, Adelle Tracey, Cameron MacRitchie, Jordan Duckitt, Aidan Reynolds, Callum Airlie

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 27 2012 09:54 PM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

That was kinda weird

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 27 2012 09:57 PM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Jocks: don't know the words to Hey Jude.

themetfairy Jul 28 2012 08:00 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Mets – Willets Point wrote: Beckham driving a speedboat down the Thames with the torch. I wasn't watching the entire BBC feed, so when you posted things like this I thought you were joking. You nailed the term for the production - Awesenine indeed!

Mets – Willets Point Jul 28 2012 08:17 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

I can't make stuff like this up. I admit that I'm a sucker for spectacle and loved every minute I watched of the Olympics Opening Ceremonies. Especially the parts that were batshit insane.

metirish Jul 28 2012 09:22 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Mets – Willets Point wrote: I can't make stuff like this up. I admit that I'm a sucker for spectacle and loved every minute I watched of the Olympics Opening Ceremonies. Especially the parts that were batshit insane. not going to say it topped 2008, it was so different, the NHS spectacle was inspired and brilliant

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 28 2012 09:46 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

Yeah, the hospital bed bit was pretty cool, Lunchpail went batshit when Valdemoort came on and kept waiting for Harry Potter after that. It kinda took some balls to do such a relatively subdued torch-light following the craziness of years past but it worked.

metirish Jul 28 2012 10:00 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

One hateful feature so far is the blaring music pumping at the various arenas.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 28 2012 10:27 AM Re: Torch-LIghter ??

One hateful feature so far is the blaring music pumping at the various arenas. Kinda de rigeur, isn't it? Sydney and Beijing were the same way. BTW: Archery is kind of a fun watch. So's fencing.