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Steve redgrave Bookies Favourite To Light Flame At London 2012

As the one year countdown to London 2012 has begun, stories will now emerge everyday to keep the focus on next year's marketing highlight for GB plc, whether it is the concerns about the transport system and the calls for Londoners to find "a new way of working" to avoid a clog up of the tubes and trains, a daily enquiry into the health of the UK's elite athletes or concerns about the terrorist threat. The bookmakers will have a field day conjuring up new markets for both their sports punters and novelty punters and Paddy Power have already launched their campaign with a book on who will light the Olympic flame in the Olmpic Arena at the opening ceremony.

Whilst much store is put by the way in which an Olympic Games is opened, no one is under any illusion that it is the sporting prowess during the following days that really captures the hearts and souls of viewers and spectators. The pomp and circumstance that surrounds the Opening is of course a crowd puller, but after the extraordinarily spectacular and lavish performance in Beijing no one is really expecting a great deal from a democratic country with an ailing economy. There is of course a nation's pride at stake here and as a country famed for its pageantry and history there will still be a concerted attempt to make it a memorable show.

Choosing the man/woman who will light the flame and thus declare the Games open has to represent the best of British, so it is no surprise that Steve Redgrave is regarded as favourite by Paddy Power at Odds of 8/13. His credentials are of course legendary. He is one of only four Olympians to have ever won a Gold medal at five consecutive Olympic Games and whilst Kelly Holmes not only became a Dame, but the nation's favourite, after her double Gold in 2004 in Athens, she cannot really compete with Redgrave in terms of his accomplishments. She does however sit in second place at odds of 10/3.

Of the other candidates in the top table Seb Coe at odds of 20/1 would be a good outside bet. The face of GB's Olympic bid, the man who as the figurehead of the Olympic Committee is feeling all the pressure, may be rewarded with the glory of the flame, especially with his own well documented Olympic success. Already as a Lord Of the Realm, it would be impossible to shower further honours upon Coe in recognition of his contribution to the historic event, so this might just be seen as the answer. David Beckham sits in third place at 12/1, but beyongd lending his internationally recognized face to the marketing of London 2012 as an International exponent of his sport he has hardly been overwhelmed with trophies.

It seems most viable that a relay of prestigious athletes including Holmes, Coe, Chris Hoy and paralympian Tanni Grey Thompson would hand the flame to Redgave for the finale. Unfortunately there are no odds offered on this eventuality, so Redgrave would seem the safest bet, unless of couse you are a compulsive risk taker and willing to bet on Boris Johnson at 100/1 or a slightly less ridiculous 33/1 on Roger Bannister who has record breaking history on his side.

Olympic Flame Lighting Odds

Odds plus a host of Novelty Betting Opportunities courtesy of Paddy Power

Steve Redgrave 8/13
Kelly Holmes 10/3
David Beckham 12/1
Tanni Grey Thompson 12/1
Daley Thompson 16/1
Matthew Pinsent 16/1
Chris Hoy 16/1
Denise Lewis 20/1
Rebecca Adlington 20/1
Seb Coe 20/1
Jonathan Edwards 25/1
25/1 Bar Others On Request

Posted: Thursday, 4th August 2011
Author: Suzi Flute
Tags: sports novelties, kelly holmes, seb coe, tanni grey thompson, paddypower,

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