Flame spotlights 'extraordinary' lives

The 2004 Olympic Torch Relay takes in 27 countries

Dozens of "ordinary" people will get a taste of Olympic glory when the torch makes its way through the streets of London next month.

Spectators can still indulge in plenty of star-gazing - Roger Bannister, Steve Redgrave, Heather Mills McCartney and Sally Gunnell will be among the celebs taking part - but the majority of London's 140 torchbearers will be ordinary people.

Or rather "extraordinary ordinary" people, as they were described at the ceremony to announce their names in the capital's City Hall on Wednesday.

"Extraordinary ordinary" people like 17-year-old Down's Syndrome sufferer Leon Summers, a keen swimmer praised for his "leadership qualities".

And Tony McDonald-Liggins, who despite requiring a combination of drugs to keep him alive following a brain tumour 15 years ago, has completed more than 30 marathons and raised over £70,000 for charity.

I worry I'm going to drop the torch with all the camera crews around, but hopefully that won't happen Torchbearer Gerry Newton

And 19-year-old Laura Bateman, who has lost 70% of movement in one hip owing to a congenital dislocation, but is Disabilities International Champion at gymnastics, coaches the sport and is campaigning for its inclusion in the Paralympics.

Sworn to secrecy

They, and others too numerous to name, finally got a sense of the enormity of next month's event, when London mayor Ken Livingstone and British Olympic Association chief Simon Clegg revealed their names.

"It seemed unreal before today," said torchbearer Mark Kalinauckus, 52. "We were told not to tell anyone. I have not even told my mother yet. I think she will be delighted.

"The more I think about the history of the Olympics and holding the flame that's going to go down to Athens, the more exciting it gets."

With the spectacular views of the capital offered by City Hall on a clear and dry day, the torchbearers could probably have picked out parts of the 26 June route.

Media attention

They were far too busy talking to reporters, though - as much in demand as the celebrity torchbearers in attendance, Frank Bruno and Kriss Akabusi.

Torchbearer Alanna Harris was 'astounded to be chosen'

"I feel like I'm some sort of celebrity with all this spotlight around me and all the other people taking part," said 15-year-old Gerry Newton.

Maybe it was this attention that was unsettling the young sportsman and coach, who also works with disabled students: "I worry I'm going to drop the torch with all the camera crews around, but hopefully that won't happen."

His anxiety was not unique; deaf Tae Kwondo black belt Kylie Johncock, 16, was worried the flame would go out during her stint.

"I hope I won't be too nervous so I will be able to take in everything," said Alanna Harris, 17. "On the day, I will try and calm down so I don't set my hair alight."

'My own gold medal'

After all those marathons, Mr McDonald-Liggins expects the run to be "nice and easy", but added: "It will still be one of my greatest achievements. It is like being in the Olympics myself, like having my own gold medal."

Seventy-one-year-old race-walking coach Paul Ray said that after being involved in athletics since 1949, a place in the Olympic Torch Relay was "the icing on the cake".

He added: "It's the nearest you can get to being in the Olympics. I feel very proud and very humble to be amongst these people."

On 26 June, for just a moment - or as long as it takes to cover roughly 400 metres each - the Olympic torch will put these "extraordinary ordinary" people in the spotlight.

As Kriss Akabusi concluded: "That is the spirit of the Olympics."