Sports

Olympic Torch Relay: Who Will Be The Last Torchbearer?

by Yuliya Talmazan | January 20, 2010 at 05:43 pm

5753 views | 6 Recommendations | 13 comments

As the 2010 Vancouver Olympics are drawing near, the Olympic Torch Relay that kicked off on October 30 is entering its final days. The relay will end at the BC Place Stadium on February 12 when the last torchbearer lights up the Olympic cauldron with billions of people around the world watching. But, the identity of the person who will carry the Olympic flame last has been kept secret from the public by Olympic organizers. In the past Olympics, people like Muhammad Ali, Rafer Johnson and Cathy Freeman were chosen to light up the cauldron. But, who will Canada choose?

We have compiled a list of Canadians who we think stand a good chance of being given an honour of being the last Olympic torchbearer at the 2010 Games:

Cindy Klassen: speed skater, Canada's most decorated Olympian with six medals earned in two Olympics.
Wayne Gretsky: "the Great One," arguably Canada's most famous athlete who was also named "the greatest hockey player of all time."
Terry Fox (mother Betty Fox): Canada's most famous humanitarian who organized the Marathon of Hope to raise funds for cancer research. Fox died at 22, but is survived by his parents and siblings. Many Canadians believe Terry Fox's mother Betty Fox should get the honour of being the last torchbearer.
Rick Hansen: a paraplegic athlete behind "Man In Motion" world tour, an activist for people with spinal cord injuries.
Steve Nash: Canada's most famous basketball player and philanthropist who made it onto the Time's list of 100 most influential people in the world. Nash is the recipient of the Order of Canada.
David Suzuki: famous Canadian scholar and environmentalist advocating sustainability, recipient of the Order of Canada.

What is your take? Whom would you nominate?

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Larry Sewell (not verified)

at 21:34 on January 26th, 2010

I would like to see Rick Hansen and Betty Fox come into together. rick and terry were close friends, and both have left Canadians with a legacy. If you ever go to a football game at BC place, watch the applause every time they show the video of terry, and of rick.Enough said!

Bart Panchenko (not verified)

at 19:52 on January 28th, 2010

I think it should be Donavan Bailey. He is a hero to Canada in the Olympics in this age.

Andrea Welter (not verified)

at 18:03 on January 29th, 2010

My call is Steve Nash will hand off to Betty Fox who will light the cauldron at B.C. place

Discotragedy (not verified)

at 06:37 on January 30th, 2010

If you read articles about this subject, all the people mentioned here (and others) still have no idea who is going to be the flame lighter. Obviously they can't tell the person last-minute, which solidifies my belief that some sort of Holographic Image, or extremely life-like robotic figure of Terry Fox will light the flame. I also wouldn't be surprised to see a member of the Fox family pass the torch off at the very last minute to the Terry Fox form they use, so that he can light the cauldron. That would without question, be the "Wow Moment" that John Furlong is talking about.

Chucker (not verified)

at 14:19 on February 8th, 2010

Think Olympian, think Canadian, think winner. Nancy Greene?

Johnny Canuck (not verified)

at 21:33 on February 10th, 2010

Nash passing off to Nancy Greene would be perfect.

BLC (not verified)

at 00:07 on February 11th, 2010

Well it can't be either Nancy Greene or Steve Nash... Nancy Greene carried it in Kamloops and Steve Nash has his turn tomorrow.

Trumpeter (not verified)

at 09:17 on February 11th, 2010

I think any classy news organization or reporter (Is that an oxymoron?) would have not speculated on the subject. No other country has ever revealed or made as much of an effort to reveal the last torch bearer.

Paul Longden (not verified)

at 12:53 on February 11th, 2010

Think winter Olympian, Think Gold medal, think local - Why not Joe Sakic??

BJ Griffiths (not verified)

at 05:57 on February 12th, 2010

If not the great one than it has to be Steve Yzerman he is a great Olympian, a great athlete and a role model to Canadian Kids!!!!! Steve Nash doesn't make sense he wont even play for his country in the Olympics so why have him involved...

jade12 (not verified)

at 10:15 on February 12th, 2010

Terry Fox made a goal of running across Canada to raise money for Cancer Research. In my eyes Terry Fox is a complete hero and was very brave. Terry Fox never made it all the way across Canada due to the spread of cancer in his body and death. I think it would be an amazing sight to see Betty Fox being the last torch bearer. It would almost be like she is completing his goal for him.

Ron Ronson (not verified)

at 13:46 on February 12th, 2010

WHAT ABOUT 'RAYMOND BALI'????? Forget the sports and the scholors..... this guy left his home and family to volunteer and help support the war in iraq with the US Navy! He's been gone for over six years, and was lucky enough to make it back home! I dont know about you guys, but the heat in overseas is hotter then any sport event! Let him get the touch!!!!