Opening/Closing Ceremonies Discussion - Page 12

amor de cosmos · #**221** Posted **Feb 9, 2010, 9:20 PM**

doesn't seem to be a clear favourite for who should light the flame:

Quote:

The dilemma is reflected in a new Angus Reid poll commissioned by The Globe and Mail and TSN. In it, respondents were asked to name their choice to light the Olympic cauldron to open the Games. The list of eight candidates included former Olympians Gaétan Boucher and Catriona Le May Doan, speed skating marvel Cindy Klassen, British Columbians Betty Fox, Rick Hansen, Senator Nancy Greene Raine and Joe Sakic, and finally, retired hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky.

Inside British Columbia, Mr. Hansen was the choice of 38 per cent of those polled, compared to 24 per cent for Ms. Fox, 14 per cent for Ms. Greene Raine and 12 per cent for Mr. Gretzky. But nationally it was a different story. Mr. Gretzky was the clear favourite among Canadians generally, with 25 per cent support. Mr. Hansen was next at 17 per cent while Ms. Greene Raine received 12 per cent of the vote and Ms. Fox 10 per cent.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1460893/

Overground · #**222** Posted **Feb 9, 2010, 9:36 PM**

Let's not mess around, Gretzky is a former Olympian, the most famous and talented player in the history of Canada's national sport, and he's generally liked and respected the world over. A no-brainer for lighting the cauldron in my opinion.

The fact that his dad is carrying the torch for a portion of the relay says to me that Gretzky will be carrying it at some point too but because we haven't heard when yet, it tells me he will be at least one of the final people to carry the torch to/into/around inside the stadium.

WarrenC12 · #**223** Posted **Feb 9, 2010, 9:44 PM**

Hansen is doing the final carry tonight in Richmond, so he's out for the final.

Lets face it, hockey is our sport and Gretzky is the best player to have ever lived. I'll be disappointed if he's not it. I support Betty Fox, but the whole hologram rumour makes me roll my eyes.

Sakic is a great choice, he did win a gold. Gretzky was "only" the GM at the time. Nancy Greene is a good choice too. Ideally these people should at least be in the "final 5". Gretzky can fire a flaming puck into a cauldron/net.

hammergirl · #**224** Posted **Feb 9, 2010, 9:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Hansen is doing the final carry tonight in Richmond, so he's out for the final.

Lets face it, hockey is our sport and Gretzky is the best player to have ever lived. I'll be disappointed if he's not it. I support Betty Fox, but the whole hologram rumour makes me roll my eyes.

Sakic is a great choice, he did win a gold. Gretzky was "only" the GM at the time. Nancy Greene is a good choice too. Ideally these people should at least be in the "final 5". Gretzky can fire a flaming puck into a cauldron/net.

Nancy has already carried it near her ski resort. Catriona LeMay Doan carries it earlier on Friday and she was one of the first to carry it. Gaetan Boucher carried it earlier too.

The hologram I think is bad taste and I just don't think of Terry when I think of the Olympics.

I think it will likely be Gretzky and my choice would be Chantal Petitclerc (21 paralympic medals) for the paralympics.

mr.x · #**225** Posted **Feb 9, 2010, 9:56 PM**

Please don't let it be Betty and a hologram of her son...I'll do a huge face palm while I'm in the stadium if that happens.

Yume-sama · #**226** Posted **Feb 9, 2010, 9:57 PM**

A hologram would be kind of cool

Like Arnold showing up in the last Terminator movie.

dreambrother808 · #**227** Posted **Feb 9, 2010, 11:08 PM**

The Terry Fox idea is awesome!! His story is definitely the kind of inspiration that coincides with Olympic ideals. Perfect choice!

wrenegade · #**228** Posted **Feb 9, 2010, 11:32 PM**

I really really really hope it's not a Betty Fox/Terry Fox hologram thing. Gretzky is a much much better choice.

officedweller · #**229** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 12:12 AM**

You kind of wonder why the Betty Fox Terry Fox thing is never suggested for the Paralympics opening?

Zassk · #**230** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 4:10 AM**

I don't really get the Terry Fox fixation. He wasn't an Olympian. Aren't the final torch bearers always former Olympians? Terry Fox was great, but he had nothing to do with the Olympics.

hammergirl · #**231** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 4:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zassk

I don't really get the Terry Fox fixation. He wasn't an Olympian. Aren't the final torch bearers always former Olympians? Terry Fox was great, but he had nothing to do with the Olympics.

In 1988, a young girl who was a figure skater lit the torch.

In 1976, two teenagers, one french and one english lit the torch.

In 1994, Norway's Crown Prince Haakkon lit the torch.

In 2000, Cathy Freeman, an athlete competing in the games lit the torch.

It's my understanding that the IOC requires the final torch bearer to be a past, present or potential Olympian but they will grant a waiver in certain circumstances.

SpongeG · #**232** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 4:25 AM**

in 1992 albertville - it was a french soccer star and a young kid

Zassk · #**233** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 4:42 AM**

Ok, but still - when I think of Terry Fox I think of a regular guy who raised money and awareness - not an athlete. I hope that isn't offensive (after re-reading what I wrote, I wonder if I will regret saying it...) I just figure it will be an athlete. My bet is Gretzky.

raggedy13 · #**234** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 5:06 AM**

Maybe it's just me but I'd consider running half way across the country a whole lot more 'athletic' than throwing a stone across a sheet of ice or sliding down a frozen pipe on a sled. These Olympic athlete's are far more "regular" than Terry Fox. He put in every bit as much training and physical exertion (if not more) and he did it after battling with a horrible ailment, did it with a physical handicap, did it selflessly with zero assumption he would garner any fame or glory from it, and ultimately sacrificed his health and gave his life for his cause. He and his legacy have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research, benefitting millions worldwide and future millions to come. No Olympian in Canadian history has come close to achieving in a lifetime what he achieved in his tragically short one. No amount of gold medals earned compares to what Terry achieved through his athleticism.

Just my personal opinion on the matter though...

With all that said he is not related to the Olympic movement so I see the argument against his mother, or even his hologram, lighting the torch. Personally I wouldn't be against it though.

SpongeG · #**235** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 5:24 AM**

lighters aren't always tied to the olympics though maybe lately they seem to be now the the olympics is so uptight and wants to protect the brand

nova9 · #**236** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 5:41 AM**

I just stumbled upon (not literally, i was given it) a dress rehearsal ticket for tomorrow!! Ahh, so excited!!!

my photo:

dreambrother808 · #**237** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 6:14 AM**

I'm with Raggedy on this one. Terry Fox ran a marathon each day, on one leg! His story has always deeply moved me. His journey is one of my early childhood memories, and having grown up in Thunder Bay, where his journey ended, you are always reminded of him by the great monument there.

Yume-sama · #**238** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 6:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nova9

I just stumbled upon (not literally, i was given it) a dress rehearsal ticket for tomorrow!! Ahh, so excited!!!

my photo:

*copies the bar code* Muahaha!

wrenegade · #**239** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 6:40 AM**

Didn't Furlong say today that Betty Fox is running with the torch in Coquitlam (or something) on Thursday (or Friday), thus putting her out of contention?

Locked In · #**240** Posted **Feb 10, 2010, 6:49 AM**

^ Apparently, but...

Quote:

Furlong himself, on Monday, noted that Betty Fox will run with the torch in Coquitlam – where Terry was raised – on Thursday and his dad, Rolly, gets it near English Bay the following day. This could, however, be a feint; no law prevents a torchbearer from pulling double-duty.

Source: Toronto Star

In any case, it's gotta be Wayne.