Do you think some US gymnasts (Shannon Miller, Shawn Johnson, Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles) can be selected as torchbearers for Olympic LA 2028 opening

[irichluck21]

Considering that Paris had 2, both male and female flag bearers, I could see the possibility of a male and female lighting the cauldron together.

 

[Hatsumomo]

Now that somebody mentioned it, I'm sure Mary Lou Retton will be offered, so it may very well be her and Phelps lighting the cauldron together. Jackie Joyner-Kersee is another I'm sure will have a role (or be offered a role). A shame FloJo is long gone.

 

[irichluck21]

MLR is not in the best health condition, so we shall see if that happens.

 

[rlayt]

Can MLR carry her oxygen and the torch? Last photo I saw she was carrying oxygen around.

 

[irichluck21]

Oxygen tanks and open flames are not a good match I think.

 

[Indy]

Carrying both oxygen and a torch could risk MLR turning into the Olympic flame herself…not ideal, but definitely memorable

 

[lovegymnasts]

Honestly, I can't imagine it surpassing Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic Flame and how he came out to do it.
My vote is Michael Phelps.

 

[Denn]

Given how many of us imagine that Phelps will be chosen, it's almost hard to imagine the organizing committee NOT deciding that. Phelps + Retton could be entertaining because of the height difference, but there's not a person alive who could pair with Phelps without it feeling lopsided, I feel.

That said, the person who lights the torch is not necessarily chosen because they were such dominant athletes. In 1984, Gina Hemphill carried the torch in the stadium. I don't remember that she was a top athlete herself — I just remember she was Jesse Owens' granddaughter. The cauldron was lit by Rafer Johnson. Johnson only won a single decathlon gold medal but he was chosen for a big mix of other (good) reasons.

 

[makam]

Alyson Felix is my other guess if they are going for 2--she is still active in the olympic movement. I think it was interesting that the French had non-French athletes as part of their last leg relay. And, well, Snoop Dogg.

 

[OnlyBeansOnToast]

The London 2012 opening ceremony neatly avoided all the "who's our greatest available Olympian" silliness by having the cauldron lit by half a dozen young athletes who nobody had heard of outside their sport.

 

[Caledi]

Alyson Felix is my other guess if they are going for 2--she is still active in the olympic movement. I think it was interesting that the French had non-French athletes as part of their last leg relay. And, well, Snoop Dogg.

Oh, I hadn't thought of Allyson Felix but she's a good choice! Bonus points that she is from Los Angeles.

 

[Denn]

Some people are saying that if he becomes president again, Donald Trump may light the cauldron. It will be the best cauldron lighting anyone has ever seen. It'll be uge. He'll make the cauldron great again.

 

[KristyJ]

Thumbs down not at you, Denn, but at even the possibility of Trump having anything to do with that cauldron

 

[nog]

It would make sense to pick one that is not currently going for 2028. So possibly 96 team member, Carly or nastia, or if gabby or Simone are not going for 2028. Any one of those would make sense

 

[rlayt]

I’m going to say Michael Phelps will be tapped for it.