Speculation aplenty as to who will light Olympic flame
Who will light the flame at the Opening Ceremony of the London Games? As the July 27 date draws near, speculation is growing.
The bookies like five-time British rowing gold medalist Steve Redgrave, followed by two-time decathlon champion Daley Thompson.
David Beckham was also considered to be in the mix but apparently withdrew his name when he said he thought the honor should go to an Olympian.
In an interview with ITV News, Redgrave said that he has not been asked to perform the ceremonial duty.
"I don't know who is going to be lighting the flame, but I was carrying the flame in Henley a week ago today and I had a great time doing that, but I only really found out the night before exactly what I was doing, so if I am involved nobody's got in contact with me yet," he said.
[ Related: "Chariots of Fire" lets Brits relieve Olympic ideal ]
Redgrave added that he was available if needed.
Thompson will be the last to carry it, on July 24, when he lights the celebration cauldron at the evening celebration event in Haringey, north London.
The Olympic Torch is in the final stages of its journey around the country. There will 982 torchbearers to carry the flame through the capital.
See related Olympic video:
Other popular Olympic content on Yahoo! Sports:
• Vote for your most memorable Summer Olympics moments
• Winning gold can result in lucrative bonuses for some athletes
• Londoners upset by far-reaching, strict security measures
