Several British bookmakers, including William Hill and Sky Bet, are refunding all bets to those who bet on the identity of who would light the Olympic flame.
Fans across the UK had placed bets on who would light the flame at the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony, with the likes of Sir Roger Bannister, Daley Thompson, Lord Sebastian Coe, David Beckham and even Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II amongst the popular bets.
But in the event, Danny Boyle’s spectacular Opening Ceremony saw seven young athletes collectively light the Olympic cauldron, each nominated by British Olympic heroes Lynn Davies, Duncan Goodhew, Dame Kelly Holmes, Dame Mary Peters, Shirley Robertson, Daley Thompson and Sir Steve Redgrave.
Britain's greatest ever Olympic competitor, Redgrave, was amongst the favourites to light the cauldron, but he took the honour of running into the stadium with the Olympic torch.
“We have been betting on who will light the cauldron since London was awarded the games, when we installed Sir Steve as our 3/1 favourite. In total we have quoted over fifty athletes and celebrities, but the result was all but impossible to predict. As a result we have refunded a five figure sum,” said William Hill’s spokesman Rupert Adams. Meanwhile, the opening ceremony was a resounding success and William Hill have cut their price of Danny Boyle being given a knighthood from 4/1 to 7/4.
Adam’s added, “The reaction to the opening ceremony has been overwhelming and our customers think Danny is all but certain to be handed a knighthood in the new year’s honours list.”
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