Who should light the olympic flame??

[bennibenj]

I reckon that guy who won the lottery and went around throwing big mac's at everyone - something carroll.

Obviously has a good aim and will do McD's a bit of sponsorship. Job done.

 

[Worthingite]

Redgrave has won five gold medals (I think). There are hundreds of these things dished out every time the OG are held, so five makes him fairly irrelevant in history. The Queen has ruled our country for SIXTY years and David Beckham is arguably the most recognisable living Englishman. They are both far greater achievements in my book. If we were talking about the opening of a leisure centre I'd agree with you, but the WORLD will be watching our country in a couple of weeks. That's quite a big deal and doesn't happen very often. Let's not show them how mediocre we really are putting forward rowers and other nonsense sportsmen.

I'm speechless. Put it into context then - SSR was at the top of his sport for TWENTY YEARS.

 

[The Large One]

Redgrave has won five gold medals (I think). There are hundreds of these things dished out every time the OG are held, so five makes him fairly irrelevant in history. The Queen has ruled our country for SIXTY years and David Beckham is arguably the most recognisable living Englishman. They are both far greater achievements in my book. If we were talking about the opening of a leisure centre I'd agree with you, but the WORLD will be watching our country in a couple of weeks. That's quite a big deal and doesn't happen very often. Let's not show them how mediocre we really are putting forward rowers and other nonsense sportsmen.

To you - tackiness and shallowness is a tour de force isn't it?

It's the Olympic Games. Steven Redgrave is the greatest living British Olympian, and one of the greatest Olympians ever, no matter how much your ignorance trivialises his achievements.

Being recognised (as in - I know that face) for the sake of being recognised is not in itself any form of achievement. It's actually irrelevant, and works quite badly against your argument.

 

[Worthingite]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_who_have_lit_the_Olympic_Cauldron

Sir Steve Redgrave would be the second most decorated Olympian to light the torch should he do it, after Paavo Nurmi

 

[wallyback]

has to be daley surely

best al lround athlete time and time again.

plus has a personality!

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Redgrave has won five gold medals (I think). There are hundreds of these things dished out every time the OG are held, so five makes him fairly irrelevant in history.
.

I know it's not RIGHT to laugh at someone who so clearly has mental issues......but TCB really does make it difficult.

Our greatest ever OLYMPIAN would be IRRELEVANT at the BRITISH OLYMPICS

I mean, I, I, I don't know...I can't.

I'm speechless.

 

[Lovecake]

for crying out loud! David beckham did not "help us get the olympics". He just appeared on a few banners and shook a few hands. Do we really think that the international olympic committee make the decision as to which vastly expensive and incredibly detailed bid would win based on the fact that david beckham wanted it?

Perhaps that's where paris went wrong? Perhaps they should have chosen a few of their retired world cup winners to schmooze with the ioc, or to hand out yves saint laurent branded gift bags to the delegates from uganda, surinam and papua new guinea. If only they'd brought on barthez, everything would have been fine and they wouldn't have been left standing forlornly in the soggy champs elysees, weeping tears of frustration as les rosbifs started un partie magnifique dans place du trafalgar.

I have no problem with beckham as a person, but this idea that he was (a) responsible for the bid and its consequent success and (b) deserves some kind of reward for that, is utterly ludicrous.

this!

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

I don't think Redgrave would embarrass the nation. I just think it would be a massive opportunity missed. He's the 'nice' option that will make a few Brits feel warm inside, but if we're serious about making a statement then we need to look many notches higher.

Muhammed Ali did it in Atlanta - that's the sort of standard I'd be looking for. Before someone points out his is an Olympic sport, I appreciate that, but it's also a serious sport that is actually worth something more than once every four years, hence he's enough of a name to make it an iconic global spectacle. Do people in the villages of China or the Australian outback give two shits about Redgrave?

You do realise america is BIGGER than the Uk right? So they were always going to have MORE choice.

You have pinpointed ARGUABLY the GREATEST sportsman of ALL TIME as your example.

Name me the STUNNING personel who lit the 2004 athens flame, or the 2000 sydney flame or the 2008 Beijing flame?

Go on.

 

[Lovecake]

He was originally but he slid down a bit...

I think this would have been a step too far for Bannister

 

[Mackenzie]

Pat Butcher.

 

[terryberry1]

Dwayne Chaimbers

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Sorry, I think you're mistaking me for somebody who has ever watched a single event in any Olympic Games.

I just read Ali did it in 1996. There isn't a day in my life where I don't wish I was born American, so I know damn well we can't compete, but we could at least try.

Unbelievable.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

. Do people in the Australian outback give two shits about Redgrave?

Massively wrong there. The Australians revere Redgrave and his achievements. The Aussies love the Olympics, and in particular the swimming, cycling and rowing.

 

[Lovecake]

I don't think Redgrave would embarrass the nation. I just think it would be a massive opportunity missed. He's the 'nice' option that will make a few Brits feel warm inside, but if we're serious about making a statement then we need to look many notches higher.

Muhammed Ali did it in Atlanta - that's the sort of standard I'd be looking for. Before someone points out his is an Olympic sport, I appreciate that, but it's also a serious sport that is actually worth something more than once every four years, hence he's enough of a name to make it an iconic global spectacle. Do people in the villages of China or the Australian outback give two shits about Redgrave?

Ali won olympic gold! That's why he was chosen. The queen has never competed in or had anything to do with the olympics. It would be insane for her to light the torch. And for those who think David Beckham should.... mental. He's more of a celebrity than a sporting icon

 

[The Large One]

Well at least they'll enjoy it when the middle-aged baldy steps up to light the flame then. Meanwhile, the entire rest of the world will be asking: "Where's Beckham?"

You lot can mock and jeer all you like. I'll take your opinions seriously when I first hear of anybody in this country spending their weekends watching cycling, attending a local archery meeting or popping down the local pool to take in a bit of synchronised swimming. Faking a bit of interest during the good times is exactly what the "plastic" BHAFC fans are criticised for, yet here we are two weeks from an Olympics and everybody is suddenly claiming to love all these games and 'sportsmen'.

No, ignorant shallow dickheads in need of an education MIGHT shout 'Where's Beckham?' But then, we don't all have a stereotypical idea of what foreigners are thinking.

Meanwhile, anyone who knows anything about the Olympics knows EXACTLY who Steven Redgrave is, and his unsurpassed achievement.

You argument in favour of David Beckham is irrelevant - and has no value whatsoever.

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Well at least they'll enjoy it when the middle-aged baldy steps up to light the flame then. Meanwhile, the entire rest of the world will be asking: "Where's Beckham?"

You lot can mock and jeer all you like. I'll take your opinions seriously when I first hear of anybody in this country spending their weekends watching cycling, attending a local archery meeting or popping down the local pool to take in a bit of synchronised swimming. Faking a bit of interest during the good times is exactly what the "plastic" BHAFC fans are criticised for, yet here we are two weeks from an Olympics and everybody is suddenly claiming to love all these games and 'sportsmen'.

There's not even a point being made anymore. Its 4 seperate rambling statements combined.

It's fascinating to watch.

Please, continue.

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Meanwhile, anyone who knows anything about the Olympics knows EXACTLY who Steven Redgrave is, and his unsurpassed achievement.

You argument in favour of David Beckham is irrelevant.

Exactly. You have a guy who openly SHOUTS that he HATES the olympics and doesn't give a shit, then try to somehow convince those who DO know and love it that HIS opinion is right.

It's amazing. It really is.