Undoubtedly, the greatest honour that can be given to a person at the Olympics is the opportunity to light the Olympic Flame. The main criterion is that the lighter(s) must exemplify the Olympic spirit. Beyond that, though, there are likely a few criteria that VANOC is going to use:
- Someone connected with sport.
- Someone Canadian.
- Someone with integrity.
- Someone whom Canada can rally behind.
I've heard several names floating around about who should light the flame. In no particular order:
- Rick Hansen - Paraplegic wheelchair athlete, Man in Motion, wheeled over 40 000 km for spinal cord research. Pro: A great symbol for disabled athletes and persons everywhere. Con: He may be the prime candidate to light the flame at the Paralympics in March. Con: He carried the torch on February 9.
- Barbara Ann Scott - Olympic ice skating champion, winner of one gold medal, Canada's sweetheart. Pro: One of Canada's earliest world-famous Olympians. Pro: A pioneer for figure skaters and female Olympians everywhere. Con: She carried the torch into the House of Commons on December 10, which is one of the most prestigious legs of the relay.
- Trevor Linden - Vancouver Canucks player for 17 years, Vancouverite, one-time Olympian. Pro: He's a Vancouverite. Pro: The city loves him, both for his sportsmanship and his involvement in the community. Pro: He's been named as a torchbearer, but has yet to carry the torch. Con: He's mostly unheard of outside of British Columbia and NHL circles. Con: Wayne Gretzky is more famous.
- Walter Gretzky - Canada's most famous hockey dad. Pro: He exemplifies what it means to coach and raise a young athlete. Con: He will carry the torch earlier in the day on February 12.
- Rolly/Betty Fox - Parents of Terry Fox, who is arguably Canada's greatest modern hero. Pro: Few people exemplify the Olympic spirit more than Terry Fox. Pro: Terry Fox is beloved throughout the country. Pro: Projecting a picture of Terry next to the Olympic Flame while it is being lit would be an image remembered for decades to come. Con: Rolly Fox will carry the torch earlier in the day on February 12. Con: Betty Fox has said that she doesn't think she can muster up the strength to light the torch at her age.
- Bobby Orr - NHL hockey great, influence of Wayne Gretzky. Pro: One of hockey's greatest players of all time. Pro: Probably the most famous retired hockey player who still lives in Canada. Con: More likely to be a torchbearer on the final day of the relay. Con: He's not Wayne Gretzky.
- David Suzuki - Environmentalist. Con: His activism is often divisive and would distract from the games. Con: Wrestling climate change is not an Olympic sport.
- Wayne Gretzky - Hockey player, The Great One, coach of the gold-medal men's hockey team at Salt Lake City 2002, one-time Olympian. Pro: Revered throughout the hockey world. Pro: One of the most sportsmanlike players in the modern NHL. Pro: Singlehandedly responsible for thousands of young Canadian kids playing junior hockey. Pro: Led Canada men's hockey team to gold in 2002. Con: He is a naturalised American citizen living in Phoenix. Con: Stated in 2009 that if the Phoenix Coyotes (whom he then coached) relocated to Hamilton, he would not follow them.
- Nancy Greene - Downhill skier, winner of two Olympic medals (including one gold). Pro: She won Canada's only gold and silver medals (two-thirds of Canada's medal count) at Grenoble 1968. Pro: She is one of Canada's most famous Olympians ever. Pro: Voted as Canada's Female Athlete of the 20th Century. Con: She's now a Conservative senator, and VANOC may want to avoid making what would appear to be a politically-motivated choice. Con: She carried the torch on January 27. Con: She has been named Canada's Olympic ambassador for Vancouver 2010.
- Cindy Klassen - Speedskater extraordinaire, winner of six Olympic medals (including one gold), and national record-holder for most Olympic medals. Pro: Great symbol of sportsmanship. Pro: Well-known and well-loved throughout Canada. Con: She is competing in these games. Con: Canada's flagbearer is Clara Hughes, also a speedskater.
Who do I think the top contenders are? Wayne Gretzky and Betty Fox.
I would expect to see Trevor Linden taking part in one of the final legs of the relay entering/inside BC Place, along with Nancy Greene, Elvis Stojko, Barbara Ann Scott, and perhaps Jamie Salé and David Pelletier. Maybe throw Orr, Howe, or Lemieux in there for good measure.
Who would I like to see light the Olympic Flame? Without a question, Betty Fox. Terry Fox has always been a hero of mine, and few people make Canada prouder than him. Although cancer claimed Terry's life, his family has selflessly continued to promote his cause and raise money and support for cancer research. Few people would be able to unite the country like Mrs. Fox.
I'd love to see Wayne Gretzky hand the torch to Rick Hansen, who would finally pass the torch to Betty Fox.
I'll be eagerly watching the opening ceremonies on Friday. Here's hoping it isn't another teenager.
