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Line-up of Olympic torchbearers is announced
By Matthew Beard, Evening Standard 17.03.08
Classical violinist Vanessa Mae will be one of 80 showbusiness personalities to carry the Olympic torch through London
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The full line-up of sports and showbusiness personalities who will carry the Olympic torch through London was announced today.
The torch will pass through the capital on Sunday 6 April in a day-long festival as part of an international relay that will take it to Beijing for the start of the 2008 Games in August.
The 80 torchbearers include classical violinist Vanessa Mae, England cricketer Kevin Pietersen television presenter Konnie Huq, retired swimmer Duncan Goodhew and badminton player Gail Emms.
They will join Dame Kelly Holmes and Sir Trevor McDonald, whose involvement was revealed last month.
The relay will start at Wembley Arena Square, pass the site of the 2012 Games and end in a "grand finale" beside the O2 featuring performances by the Sugababes and a gymnastics display.
Eighty people will carry the torch and organisers are expecting large crowds to follow it.
Other celebrations include a dragon procession in Chinatown and music and dance in Trafalgar Square.
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Reader views (1)
I can't help but feel a little uncomfortable reading an announcement like this today.
The timing of these celebrations couldn't be worse and although it is of course not the case, it will seem as though we are indulging China and their PR machine when we ought to be distancing ourselves from it.
Also, April 6th isn't far off. If the troubles in Tibet continue to escalate this "celebration" would seem rather grotesque I can certainly see parts of the route being hijacked by protesters. In fact, a part of me would like to see that happen.
I also wonder whether nearer the date, if Tibet is still in the news, any of the celebs will pull out of the event.
- R, London, UK
