posted Mar 18, 2008

We have an unfortunate obsession with celebrity in this country, and sadly the selection of torch bearers for the Olympics seems to reinforce it. Basic question - why do we need to have celebrities (or indeed past/present Olympians) carrying the torch? They have had their moments of fame and identity in abundance already, and their absence in the carrying of the torch will not in the slightest detract from the spectacle. A much more appropriate group of torch bearers should be drawn from categories of people like:
- young, upcoming athletes who may be in the Olympics 4 or 8 years down the line
- civic 'heroes' perhaps not already rewarded with OBEs etc.
- Joe/Jill Publics drawn from a lottery
- school kids selected from across the UK

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posted Mar 18, 2008

Agree with previous poster. I'm a big fan of Trevor McDonald but think sporting heroes (sung and unsung, past and future) should carry the torch.

I really like the idea of selecting school kids from Britain to carry the torch - what a good way to get kids involved in it all.

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