There's a lot of betting apparently on who it will be, and here's a quite recent list:
- Sir Steve Redgrave - 1/2
- Dame Kelly Holmes - 7/1
- Tom Daley - 10/1
- Daley Thompson - 12/1
- Chris Hoy or reigning monarch (at the time) - 16/1
- Lord Sebastian Coe - 20/1
- The Princess Royal - 33/1
- David Cameron - 40/1
- Prince William and/or Kate Middleton - 40/1
- David Beckham or London Mayor (at the time) - 50/1
So, I hear you not asking, who do I think it should be? Well, I think there are some fairly obvious criteria:
1. It shouldn't be a politician
I think for obvious reasons; there would be little more unseemly or cringe-worthy than an out-of-touch politician aping to the crowd as they mount the steps of the stadium. And the Olympics shouldn't be overtly about politics.
2. It shouldn't be anyone who helped win the bid
That would smack too much of a 'reward'. As much as maybe Beckham or Coe might be decent choices, for this reason I don't think it can reasonably be either of them.
3. It shouldn't be someone who's actually competing
I think this puts too much pressure on the person, and they probably have better things to focus on. And then, if they fail, does that reflect on the games themselves? It seems too much 'now' and not about representing the nation, and not merely the team. The team has their chance within the tournament, and at the opening ceremony parades, not within the pre-Games moments.
4. It should be someone respected
Which goes without saying, but I don't think a typical response by the man in the street of "why are they getting to do that?" is helpful.
5. It should be someone with a world presence
At that moment the UK, and London, will be the centre of the sporting world. Television images sent around the world, and a moment that probably won't occur again for another 20 years at least. This is a special world moment, and we need someone who won't be greeted with "who are they?" across the globe. And just because someone is incredibly well known here, doesn't mean they'll be known internationally.
6. It ought to be an iconic British character
At the end of the day, this is someone who will be standing there in front of the world representing us. It needs to be someone who we can say "yes - that's a Briton. One I'm proud of. Somene who's one of us."
7. It needs to be a sportsman
The Olympics is a sporting event. Someone from sport has to light the cauldron. Actors are all well and good in their famous ways, but they aren't right for the Olympic stage.
7. It needs to be a sportsman
The Olympics is a sporting event. Someone from sport has to light the cauldron. Actors are all well and good in their famous ways, but they aren't right for the Olympic stage.
Okay. So that's my criteria, and from it I think I can dismiss most all of those most fancied names. Let's look ...
Beckham (involved in the bid, and lives in the US these days);
Cameron or London Mayor (politicians)
Tom Daley (competing)
Thompson, Redgrave, Hoy (no international presence) (I'm well aware that Sir Steve is an Olympic legend, but outside of the UK, who really follows rowing that much, that he would be that well known?)
Coe (involved in bid)
So this leaves us pretty much with royalty, or Kelly Holmes. Now, probably Kelly Holmes could be a suitable choice. Although I do feel that world-wide middle-distance female running isn't a 'big deal'. In Europe and Africa, probably, but in Asia and the US, not at all sure. Close, but no cigar.
And as for royalty, well, HRH wouldn't do it, and Kate would be the wrong choice. The Princess Royal certainly has a world presence, is well respected, and has an Olympic connection. But possibly too close, and would a royal be too political? Would that be too much of an 'old world' choice. Maybe so.
So, who do I think should be given the job?
Well, I'm sure we all recall the moment in 1996 when a shuffling, trembling Muhammad Ali lit the cauldron in Atlanta. Arguably the most significant sportsman of the last century, he satisfied all of my criteria. It was the moment of the Games that year, transcending the sport, and being rightly recognised as an iconic event. This was a man with great respect fighting his body, and the world held it's breath. If we could come up with something that momentous, the London Games would be given the right impetus.
And for that reason, I can only think of one sportsman for the job.
Someone not political; not directly involved in the bid; not competing; universally respected; with a general world presence; and an iconic British figure.
The person to light the Olympic cauldron in 2012 should be, without any doubt, Sir Bobby Charlton.
If you're not convinced of his world presence, then consider that football is the most played team sport in the world. And that Manchester United is probably the most famous football club across the globe (something Beckham has taken to many corners of the world ... it's certainly known in Asia, Africa, the US and Europe). And anyone who's heard of Manchester United will most likely have heard of Bobby Charlton. He also links back to the previous huge sporting event in England. His respect is immense; both former colleagues and former protagonists eulogise about the man. He has always maintained a link to his sport, and to his home city. And nobody has a bad word to say about him. And, for all of his success, for all of the adulation he's received, he's still "one of us". He's still very much a common man. Someone both great, and humble; someone who has experienced great highs and great lows in his life. And a genuine elder statesman, who carries himself always with dignity.
Whether you agree with me or not, I think this man would have few detractors. They'd be no-one saying of him, if he were to light the cauldron, "well, I don't think it should have been him." And for that alone, he's my man for the job.
Sir Bobby Charlton. British icon.
