Olympic flag ceremony.

[LucyThomas6]

Since my question disappeared, I will ask it again.

At the opening ceremony of the Olympic games, the Olympic flag is brought into the stadium by eight former Olympians from the host country. Who do you think will be chosen in 2012. Here's my list.

Sir Steve Redgrave
Richard Meade
Dame Mary Peters
Jonathan Edwards
Daley Thompson
Dame Kelly Holmes
Adrian Moorhouse
Sally Gunnell

[joggerjayne]

Steve Redgrave ... no contest.

[joggerjayne]

Sorry ... that was a crap answer ...

I didn't read the question properly.

[paraffin]

Lucy:

Given that the "host country" as you put it is actually Great Britain, would it not be fair to include Olympians from all the Home Nations?

[craft1948]

well Mary Peters is irish....

[craft1948]

they could dig out Alan Wells for Scotland

[LucyThomas6]

I'm sorry but I don't do political correctness. My list is based on who I think deserves to be there on merit not to fill quotas.

I'm probably way off because only two of the athletes are black (well sort of) and there isn't an Asian in site so Amir Khan will probably be a cert.

[squarebear]

You've also missed out a black, disabled lesbian.

[paraffin]

craft:

You obviously have a very "selective" memory. Although, oddly enough, having mentioned a Scottish Olympic gold medallist from almost 30 years ago, you mystifyingly omit the most recent (or perhaps their names are not known to you?).

For example, from last year's Olympics: Sir Chris Hoy (3 gold medals), Shirley Robertson who has won 2 Olympic gold medals.

You could also include the only British athlete to have ever won the Olympic long jump gold medal, the Welshman Lynn Davies.

Wouldn't it show that small nations are just as capable of producing champions as well as their bigger "brother"? Or is London 2012 an exclusively English event only?

[LucyThomas6]

I didn't include Sir Chris Hoy in my list because it is likely that he will compete in 2012 and I believe that this honour is given to former competitors only.

[craft1948]

well steve - she styles herself as competing for N Ireland...
paraffin I don't think I have a selective memory (possibly) a bad one but I too omitted people who may actually be competing. I own up to forgetting the gorgeous Lyn Davies but please I'm not biased..I have irish grandparents and my father is scottish.....

[paraffin]

Lucy + craft:

Good try at pulling the wool over my eyes but am I not correct (again!) in saying that the Team G.B. flag bearer last year in Beijing was Mark Foster? And did he not go on to compete in the swimming?

Such bad memories! Mind you, 2008 WAS a long time ago, wasn't it?

Just admit it guys, your knowledge of non English competitors is virtually nil? Let's leave it at that.

[craft1948]

............. I have been well and truly typed down to by an obvious expert on the subject.....

[paraffin]

craft:

No hard feelings - and believe me, when it comes to the Olympics I'm screaming my head off for anyone with a Team GB shirt on, no matter what part of the UK the're from.
(And I feel just as proud regardless of who's carrying the flag)

[craft1948]

thanks paraffin me too.....I remember screaming at the top of my voice when redgrave/pinsent were heading for the finishing line......looked around and remembered I was actually in Italy and the italians came second.....gulp

[LucyThomas6]

Paraffin:

You are not correct. We are not talking about the national flag carried by each team. We are talking about the Olympic flag which is brought into the stadium by eight former Olympians before being hoisted to the accompaniment of the Olympic Anthem.

Do read the question again.

[paraffin]

Lucy:

Point taken, but does it still excuse your nominations of being exclusively from only one country of the "host nation"? (Including the English born Mary Peters).

[LucyThomas6]

As I have said. I make my list based on merit NOT to fill quotas.

You obviously haven't done your homework either. Richard Meade is Welsh.

Next time you try to be clever, get your facts right first.

[paraffin]

Hi Lucy:

Thanks for my latest chastisement - I'm feeling extremely humble and told off! Now, having got that off my chest, allow me to grovellingly and meekly submit my latest "rant":

So, having dismissed quadruple Olympic gold medallist, already into his 30s, Sir Chris Hoy, with the lameduck rationale that "it is likely that he will compete in 2012" (was that gleaned from your crystal ball, Lucy? How many more medals does he win? Do tell.)

And having totally ignored 40 year old double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson(MBE/OBE), how does one get to qualify on "merit" in your book?

Maybe it is more "meritorious" that the likes of Meade, Peters, Edwards, Moorhouse and Gunnell, all single Olympic gold medallists, should be considered ahead of the pair I've mentioned? Yep, I guess there's logic there, somehow?

Not to mention the fact that nearly all your selections come from one part of the UK? (I said not to mention that! Sorry. Which part would that be then? Best ask Lucy. It's all done on merit, you see. Aaaaahhhh, I see)

Mmmmmmmhhhhh.....Glad I'm not of a cynical mindset otherwise I may consider such a list as "racially biased" against certain Celtic nations which form part of Great Britain, mightn't I? (No, no, surely not? Perhaps it's just pig ignorance? Nah...that last remark could only be made by someone of a cynical mindset!)