With the Olympic Games opening ceremony just over a week away, many are speculating as to who will be given the honour of lighting the Olympic Cauldron. It would appear that the Olympic torch may not be required as sparks fly between two of Britain’s greatest Olympians and two men said to be vying for the honour.
Five time Olympic Gold medallist Sir Stephen Redgrave has claimed that double gold medal-winning – and also Bronze – Decathlon legend Daley Thomson is not one of the top five living Athletes in an article in the Evening Standard. He believes that ahead of Thompson are Lord Sebastian Coe, Dame Kelly Holmes, Ben Ainslie, Sir Matthew Pinsent and himself.
He goes on to say that Dec-athletes only take up the event because they do not excel at one particular event and proceeds to compare Thompson’s best times with the Olympic gold medal winner in each event.
Understandably Thompson is more than a little miffed and is rumoured to retaliate by questioning Sir Steven’s achievements claiming that he had to rely on team mates in his rowing events to win gold.
All very sad as both have done their country proud and have no doubt given fans plenty to admire. A public slanging match is so unseemly.
Anyhow Max Woosnam would be a name that could challenge both as Britain’s greatest sportsman – even though they are talking Olympics only: He captained England and Manchester City at Football, was Wimbledon Doubles Champion and Davis Cup Captain, as well as an Olympic gold medallist for Tennis. He won his gold medal in doubles and a silver in mixed doubles at the 1920 Antwerp Games. Not surprisingly he was also a scratch golfer and an excellent cricketer and snooker player.
