2012 Olympic Torch Lighting Odds From Ladbrokes

We're now just a few hours away from the official opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics and, naturally, we're looking for good bets all the way up to the torch lighting. In fact, we're looking to drop a punt on the lighting itself as there are a number of very interesting long-shot candidates here. Will Britain play steady Eddie and have the torch lit by somebody predictable or will they pull a selection out of left field?

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The current betting choice is Sir Steve Redgrave – winner of five gold medals at consecutive Olympics from 1980 all the way to the year 2000. The extraordinary rower is considered to be one of Great Britain's all-time greatest athletes and he has also put himself forward to light the flame – a chance to finally fulfil an Olympic destiny.

The other strong candidate looks to be Sir Roger Bannister and he's famous for running the world's first recorded mile in under 4 minutes. Bannister then went on to become a neurologist and accumulate a lifetime of awards and prestige.

The contest looks to really be between these two if you fancy a relatively predictable outcome. There is a chance that they will use Bannister to physically run around the track (it would be fitting with his status as a runner) before handing the torch to Redgrave.

Punters can lock in an even money price on Redgrave while Bannister can be backed at a 13/8 listing. Most observers seem to be favouring Redgrave.

Those seeking an outside bet will be looking at some of the longest odds selections with only a couple actually seeming genuinely reasonable outcome. There is a 4/1 price on the torch being lit by the reigning monarch at the time (i.e the Queen) but she has a tendency to put herself in the background on occasions like this and, although I'm certain she'll be involved somehow, she won't be doing the actual torch lighting. David Beckham is a 7/1 price alongside James Bond – who would be a very interesting surprise. You could see how they might incorporate that into the story of the lighting ceremony and it would certainly represent one of Britain's coolest characters.

Muhammad Ali is trading at 20/1 but that doesn't make much sense – neither does Dame Mary Peters at 33/1. Lord Coe is a 50/1 shot while Prince William and/or Kate Middleton are also trading at 50/1 (you can see how that would be a similar situation to the one outlined with the Queen).

David Cameron can also be backed at 50/1. Imagine that.