Guessingwho will run the final stretch with the Olympic torch and lights the cauldron is always one of the highlights of the Games opening extravaganza. With the London Olympics fast approaching, Britons are happily combining two of their favorite pastimes: sports and betting.

高举奥运火炬跑完最后一程并点燃开幕式圣火的人总是奥运开幕式的一大亮点。随着伦敦奥运很快临近，英国人正沉浸在他们最爱的消遣活动中：体育和打赌。

Withjust over a week to go, bookmakers are closing their books on the most popular bet so far: Who will light the flame at the opening ceremony on July 27.

距离开幕式还有一个星期，著作家们都想为这个最受欢迎的赌注画上句号：谁会点燃7.27日奥运开幕式圣火。

Thebookmakers agree the clear favorite, with odds of 1/3, is Britain's most successful Olympian Steve Redgrave. The 50-year-old rower won gold medals at five consecutive Olympics from 1984 to 2000.

著作家们都看好史蒂夫·雷德格雷夫，认为他有1/3的几率，史蒂夫·雷德格雷夫是英国最成功的运动员。这位50岁的浆手在1984年至2000年奥运期间连续5年获得金牌。

Redgrave's main rivals appear to be Daley Thompson and Roger Bannister. Britain's best all-round athlete, Thompson won the Olympic decathlon title in Moscow in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984.

雷德格雷夫的最大竞争对手是戴利·汤普森和罗杰·班尼斯特。汤普森是英国最著名的全能运动员，他曾在1980年和1984年分别获得莫斯科奥运十项全能冠军和洛杉矶奥运十项全能冠军。

Bannistermade history in 1954 as the first man to run the four-minute mile, a barrier many had thought physically impossible.

1954年，班尼斯特作为4分钟跑完一英里第一人创造了世界纪录，而当时这一纪录被认为是身体无法逾越的障碍。

MultiOlympic gold medalists Kelly Holmes, Ben Ainslie, and Chris Hoy are also in the picture.

多位奥运金牌获得者凯莉·霍尔姆斯，本 安斯利以及克里斯霍伊都是这场游戏的有力竞争者。