Olympic & Paralympic Games London 2012

[Johnny Drama]

I thought since Lamps and Ferdinand missed out on Euro's they would be good choices for the Olympics

[Lineker]

Neil Taylor and Joe Allen are also in the 35-man squad.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18392025

This sounds utterly lovely.

Most intriguingly of all...

"Boyle is collaborating with electronic musical duo Underworld."

[Adam]

Emotional scenes as war hero Ben Parkinson carries the Olympic torch in home town after learning to walk again on artificial limbs

• Paratrooper Ben Parkinson lost both legs and suffered brain injuries after driving over a mine in Afghanistan
  
• He had major surgery on shattered spine and had prosthetic legs fitted
  
• Spent three months unconscious in military hospital
  
• But he refused to use his crutches to carry the torch
  
• Thousands cheer him on in the most inspiring moment of the relay so far
  
• Fellow paratroopers travel from Colchester to show their support
  
• After completing the challenge, he said: 'It was nothing - just another walk'
  
• 4.8m workers plan to take 'sickies' to watch Olympics
  

By Emma Clark

It took the courage and determination of a gravely wounded soldier to remind us what the Olympic Torch relay should really be about.

Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson battled for 27 painful and exhausting minutes yesterday to carry the torch 300 metres.

After accusations that the relay was becoming a circus for minor celebrities and corporate sponsors, here was a real hero to win the crowd’s heart.

Few who saw Ben – the most severely wounded soldier to survive the fighting in Afghanistan – could fail to have been stirred as he walked slowly by the cenotaph in his home town of Doncaster.

Schoolchildren shouted ‘Go Ben’, fellow soldiers walked behind in battle dress and watching mothers sobbed. They were 15 deep on the pavement and every vantage point was taken.

For Ben, every step was a triumph of mind over matter – a victory for human endurance and a stirring example of what the Olympic spirit should embody.

His inspiring walk came after revelations earlier this month that some of the coveted places on the relay had been handed out by sponsors to their own staff.

Coca-Cola, Samsung and Adidas have distributed the positions to everyone from marketing executives to IT workers.

Last week, Will.i.am, US star of BBC talent show the Voice, trotted the Torch through Taunton – with which he has no connection.

Ben, 27, lost both his legs, broke his back, hips and ribs and was brain damaged when a Taliban mine exploded in 2006. He defied the odds to live – let alone take part in the Olympic torch relay.

Proud paratroopers from Ben's regiment, the 7th Parachute Royal Horse Artillery unit, supported him all the way

Step father Andy and mother Diane Dernie

He was determined to do it on his new prosthetic legs, scoffing at the offer to be pushed in a wheelchair or use crutches. All the sweat and tears were worthwhile by the time he passed on the flame to the next bearer.

‘I am very proud,’ he said. ‘I didn’t realise how much support I had, I was amazed.’

His mother Diane said: ‘I cried from start to finish. People were shouting and cheering. I couldn’t believe so many had turned out.’

'It's the proudest moment of my life,' said his mother, kissing him at the handover point. 'We knew Ben would complete the route. He's so determined.'

L/Bdr Parkinson has come a long way since suffering close to 40 injuries in the explosion in Helmand Province and spending three months unconscious in military hospital.

He had to learn to walk on prosthetic legs and undergo major surgery to fix his shattered spine and teach himself to talk once more.

He was also recovering from grievous damage to his skull, pelvis, hands, spleen and ribcage.

His mother added: ‘The whole purpose of this was to show everyone what he can do.

‘It's been such a spur for him, he's had to work so hard. He's had this practice torch made and he's been pounding the streets.

‘He's doing brilliantly. Even a few months ago we didn't know if he'd be able to do it without crutches but he's cracked it and he's been doing about 500m up and down the area.

'This town has been such a wonderful place for Ben. Whatever he does, Doncaster's behind him.

‘It's so important to Ben because this is his chance to prove what he can do, to thank everybody in Doncaster because he's had such fantastic support locally.’

Speaking after he handed over the flame, which he carried in a white sling around his neck, the exhausted but grinning 27-year-old said: 'It was nothing - just another walk.

‘I am very proud. All these people helped me along.'

Ben was accompanied by 25 colleagues from 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery and his commanding officer Major David Walker said: ‘My men would have crawled over broken glass to be here today to show Ben our support.

'Everyone in the regiment is tremendously proud of the progress that he's made against incredible adversity.

'We're immensely proud of the physical and mental courage he shows in overcoming major injuries. It's nothing short of awe-inspiring.

'We're here to support Ben. The regiment is a wider family than just its serving members. We are here to show Ben that he is still part of that family.'

Sergeant Adam Colin, who served with L/Bdr Parkinson for many years, including in Afghanistan, added: 'We're just here to show our support to Ben - cheer him on and show how fantastically well he's done and is doing.

'We're very, very proud of him so we're here to give our big support to him and just let him know we'll always be there for him.'

People of all ages turned out in the beaming sunshine to cheer L/Bdr Parkinson on, with schoolchildren chanting 'Come on, Ben', while others waved flags, whistled and cheered as he passed by.

I think everybody should see what Ben did today, kind of wanted to put this in its own thread but thought I'd leave it in here. It was an honour to get to see him walk the route today, he's easily the most inspirational person I've ever seen. I managed to be about five feet further down the road than the end of that big picture, on Ben's right hand side.

Plus I got to see Kammy, which was a nice surprise

[EddieG]

Great moment that was. 100s of people along Bennethorpe chanting "Let's go, Ben" was very touching.

[Lineker]

What an awesome dude.

[GA!]

The official Olympics theme is "Survival" by Muse. A surprisingly subtle and sensible song that will please fans of their older stuff.

Wait, this is Muse. Of course it fucking isn't.

[Quom]

Eww Muse, also make it start already. I am excited. I am unemployed and wish to stay so until after the games because I love them that much.

[Lineker]

Beckham is out of the squad!

Giggs, Bellamy, and Richards are in, however.

[Summers]

why the fuck is Bellamy in?

[Colly]

Because he's ace. Consolation prize for Micah Richards, interesting. Robbie Fowler will be gutted.

[brenchill]

Does anyone have the full squad?

[METALMAN]

why the fuck is Bellamy in?

He said he would only write an Olympic Anthem™ if he was picked in the football team.

[Summers]

makes sense tbh.

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

Beckham not in? Shit decision.

[9 to 5]

Okay, how is it a shit decision based on purely footballing reasons?

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

Okay, how is it a shit decision based on purely footballing reasons?

Maye because you know, he's still a damn good player? Chosen over him is Giggs and Bellamy. While Giggs is understandable, despite not having the greatest of seasons for us, I'd of taken Beckham all day long over Bellamy, certainly when you consider we have players in the Bellamy style role that could be selected and do just as good, if not a better job there.

Then you could also take into account the non footballing reasons, such as Beckham playing a role in us getting the Olympics (no, not a massive role) and had we not of done, we likely wouldn't even be entering a team. That all plused along with his experience too.

I mean honestly, you would rather Bellamy over Beckham?

[Summers]

Richards can fuck off as well. He's "too good" to go on the standby list for the Euros. I wouldn't pick him for this.

[MJB]

I wonder what would happen if any of Bellamy, Giggs or Richards were to get injured? Would Beckham go as a replacement? Would he even be contacted?

[9 to 5]

Bellamy and Beckham would be a hard pick, probably Bellamy as he can scare defences. But aye, I would take both over Richards given his attitude.

And fuck off with his work to get us the Games. If you think that, then why not start a campaign to have Coe run the 1500m for us?