With the 2010 Winter Olympics set to open in our town in just a few weeks (give or take a day or two), speculation about who will be the person chosen for the honor of lighting the flame has taken on crazy proportions.

The one lighting ceremony that remains in my memory, is the image of Muhammad Ali lighting the flame in Atlanta. He has always been someone I admired for standing up for his beliefs, for his sportsmanship, and for his humanitarian work. He held the torch aloft, proudly, while struggling mightily to contain his Parkinsons. It was really emotional watching him climb up to light the flame.

Vancouver’s Olympic committee has promised us something special, who will makes us proud, and who we will admire. They are, of course, keeping it secret until the moment when the whole rest of the world will find out together. But they are promising a “WOW moment.”

Pam and I have been talking about who it should be… It’s a tough call. For me, it has to be someone from British Columbia, or someone strongly associated with British Columbia. It should not be a politician. It should be someone who has a strong association with sport, and fair play. It should be someone who we admire and respect. It should be someone with world wide appeal, or world wide recognition.

That’s a big list of qualifications. For many Canadians, Wayne Gretzky would fit the bill. We certainly admire him, and respect his achievements in sport. To say he was twice as good as anyone else in the sport, is not hyperbole, it’s borne out in his stats. He led Canada to Olympic Gold in Men’s Hockey and has the respect of the international sporting community. For me, he is just not right, because he is not associated with BC in any meaningful way.

Some have suggested Trevor Linden, instead. Linden was the Captain of the Vancouver Canucks for many years. For people in this province, he’s one of our favorite sons, despite being born in Alberta. He came to us a boy, and grew to a marvelous man, giving his time for meaningful charities like the children’s hospice, Canuck Place. Does he have worldwide appeal? Perhaps, but not like Wayne Gretzky.

Some have suggested Rick Hansen. Hansen’s Man in Motion World Tour, his journey around the world in his wheelchair to raise funds for spinal cord research was an amazing feat. He has raised close to $200 million in a selfless manner. He has raised awareness of the difficulties that wheelchair bound individuals face every day. He’s made the world a better place with his tireless pursuit of making access to public buildings the right of everyone, even the differently-abled. Choosing him would not be a disappointment to the vast majority of Canadians.

Some in the lunatic fringe have suggested David Suzuki – PLEASE! What does this guy have to do with sport? His world wide recognition is based on his tiring assertions of global warming, with its use of suspect science, intimidation and outright lies. His choice would be a distraction, and bottom line, an insult to those involved in sport.

Or how about Pamela Anderson? She is from BC, her sports connection is obvious – Hey she was a Baywatch Babe! A life guard – not a winter sport, but sports, in a way, I guess…. Her appeal would definitely be world wide! But ah no, I don’t think so… a distraction for sure.

So where do we turn? My choice is Betty Fox. Who is she? She is the 72 year old mother of Terry Fox, the one-legged runner who’s Marathon of Hope to raise funds for cancer research, nearly thirty years ago still captures the imagination of Canadians every year. We turn out in droves, to run, walk, or wheel in the annual Terry Fox Runs in almost every city and town in Canada. The annual Terry Fox Run has collected over $400 million  dollars for cancer research. His legacy of courage and inspiration is perfect for the Olympics.

If Rick Hansen were beside her, I think that too, would be fitting.