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.