Michelle Kwan to be one of Olympic torch bearers

[kittyjake5]

Congrats to Michelle!

[Sylvia]

"espnW's countdown of the top 40 athletes of the Title IX era continues with No. 20 Michelle Kwan" - video link: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:7946243

Countdown is at #18 as of today (Kwan's profile is linked from here - click on "20-16"): http://espn.go.com/espnw/title-ix/to...male-athletes/

ETA link to the explanatory article: http://espn.go.com/espnw/title-ix/78...n-introduction

(I didn't feel like starting yet another new thread for the Kween! )

[nubka]

While it's a neat honour and all, why would Americans (or anyone else who doesn't live in the host country) be invited to carry the torch within the host country when it's not the US?

I was curious about that, too.

[manleywoman]

Maybe because besides rowing and equestrian sports, there aren't enough of them from Britan?

[query5]

it is an honor, i think it is because

Coca Cola is one of the Olympic Sponsors that is why.

[alij]

Maybe because besides rowing and equestrian sports, there aren't enough of them from Britan?

I think we medalled in 13/14 (ok I checked and it was only 11!) different sports at the last Olympics alone so I don't' think that is the reason!

The majority of the 8000 torchbearers aren't athletes but people nominated by their local communities. Coca Cola as a presenting partner was given a number of places to fill and (I am guessing) as they are a US based company decided to fill their allotment with US representatives and I think only two of those are Olympians.

[nylynnr]

Maybe because besides rowing and equestrian sports, there aren't enough of them from Britan?

I think it might have more to do with an effort to be inclusive of athletes of other countries, i.e., the Olympic ideal of helping to bring nations together. Britain has had many successful Olympians, especially at the summer Games, but (unless I'm mistaken) carrying the torch is an honor that is somewhat diversified among nations, Olympians, Paralympians, hopefuls and "regular" folk.

[Garden Kitty]

I just read that Alexander Popov was also selected as one of the torchbearers. Not sure if he got it through the Sochi connection or was selected on some other basis, but lots of people get invited by various sponsors or organizing committees for a variety of reasons.

I can understand why the athletes and other people would want to do it even if it's not in their country, particularly if they're committed to the Olympic goals and principles and want to honor them by participating in whatever capacity they're invited to participate.

[alij]

I have just had a look at the list of torchbearers who will run closest to my hometown and 3 of them are italians who have all performed a heroic act and in the town I was born they have someone form Buenos Aires so I guess there are people form all over the globe represented.

Ob Skating Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are also reported to be carrying the torch at some point

[Coco]

Skating Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are also reported to be carrying the torch at some point

Well we always wondered if they carried a torch for each other at some point.

Now we know

[Simone411]

That's why I drink Coke instead of Pepsi..

I never did like the taste of Pepsi. I remember those taste test commercials from the past. One of my friends did the taste test with me during that time. I knew it was Pepsi right away. yuck!

Congratulations, Michelle!

[query5]

congrats to Michelle, Torvill & dean , Alex all other torchbears nice honor for all

[Frau Muller]

Were any of America's Olympic-champion (gold medal) skaters also invited, e.g., Sarah, Tara, Kristi, Dorothy, , Scott, Dick, et al?

[Skittl1321]

Were any of America's Olympic-champion (gold medal) skaters also invited, e.g., Sarah, Tara, Kristi, Dorothy, , Scott, Dick, et al?

Not by Coca-Cola. However, the list that Coca-Cola provided made it appear that the candidates were chosen more by service than by athletic achievement (most were not athletes).

[satchelpooch318]

Right around her 32nd birthday

She's almost THIRTY-TWO??? How did this happen??? Aye yai yai...

[Jammers]

She's almost THIRTY-TWO??? How did this happen??? Aye yai yai...

Yeah i feel old too.

[manhn]

I am almost positive that Yu Na ran in Toronto in 2010. By having representatives from other parts of the world participate, more of the world will focus on the Games.

[BigB08822]

They forgot Host of Nickelodeon's game show Figure It Out

This is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Summer Sanders. Then swimming.

[query5]

the gold medalist did run use torchbearers in previous Olympics, 2002, for kristi, scott hamilton in 2002. I think most have ran with the torch except for the older ones past 1980-i am not sure. I know for 2002 the U.S picked alot of the U.S. skaters to be torchbears-some also with Olympic-partners, sponsors but nothing made a big deal out of it or mention on forums.-just saw online in paper, print and other places.

It isn't like they didn't get be a torchbearer.it.

[kwanfan1818]

John Kerr tweeted:

I will be carrying the Olympic torch in Edinburgh on the 13th of June! Can't wait