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Sport: Olympics

04/10/2014

BBC Radio 4 - Seven Round a Cauldron

Peter White meets some of the youngsters who played a key role in the 2012 Olympics.

Peter White meets the youngsters nominated by sporting legends to light the London 2012 Olympic cauldron and reflect the organisers' commitment to inspire a generation of athletes.

The names might not mean much now, but they could be Olympic champions in years to come: Peter White meets the seven youngsters nominated by sporting legends to light the 2012 cauldron

The choice of the seven was a closely guarded secret and a revelation which surprised everyone, not least the bookmakers. In keeping with London's hope of "inspiring a generation," Sir Steve Redgrave handed the Olympic torch to the youngsters - with the world watching on. Little is known about them and in this programme Peter joins Katie, Callum, Jordan, Desiree, Cameron, Aidan and Adelle. Since the Olympics some have gone on to achieve in their given sports, even qualifying for the Commonwealth Games and other international meets. For others the period has been spent adjusting to new lives at University and coping with the practical and emotional pressures of living away from home.

Scottish sailing star Callum Airlie actually had his 17th birthday on the day of the 2012 opening ceremony. All seven youngsters had been nominated by previous British Olympic medal winners, and Callum had been selected by fellow Scot and sailor Shirley Robertson, a double Olympic gold medallist.
The teenager said: "We got a call from Shirley. A double gold medallist phoning my dad was quite a big thing. It set alarm bells ringing, and although she didn't say why I was invited to the opening, she was adamant I should not miss this.

"The whole thing was part of what they called 'Save the Surprise'. Only my mum knew.
"She couldn't tell Dad, though, and my brothers didn't have a clue. It was a huge secret to keep. In the end, I chose not to phone people. I didn't trust myself not to say anything.

"I just sent everybody a text telling them they should definitely watch it and that they probably wouldn't miss me."

Mystery had surrounded who would perform the ceremonial event and sports legends including Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Roger Bannister and Daley Thompson had all been among the favourites for the prestigious role. Athlete Katie Kirk found her legs shaking uncontrollably as she waited for Sir Steve Redgrave to come into the stadium with the torch: "We were all just so excited. I could not wait to get out there - the crowd out there was massive," Katie was nominated by Northern Ireland gold medallist and Olympic ambassador, Dame Mary Peters and feels the experience has motivated others and helped inspire her - so much so that this summer she qualified for the Commonwealth Games.

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