体坛英语新闻：British athletes' fathers feature as London Olympic torchbearers

LONDON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Parents having played big role in their children's sporting career will feature in the London Olympic Torch Relay along with many of Britain's outstanding Olympians after being nominated to carry the Flame by the British Olympic Association (BOA).

As the host National Olympic Committee of the London Olympics, the BOA was invited to nominate 250 individuals to be given the privilege of participating in the Relay throughout the UK.

In recognition of the important role played by parents, BOA Chairman Colin Moynihan and Chief Executive Andy Hunt introduced Jim Redmond and Paul Mears as the first two individuals publically nominated by the BOA to carry the Olympic Torch.

They are together pictured in front of the London 1948 Olympic Games cauldron at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.

Redmond, father of two-time British Olympian Derek Redmond, leapt from the stands during the 400m semifinal at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games after his son tore a hamstring and was unable to run the remainder of the race.

Offering a shoulder of support, the father and the son walked around the track allowing Derek to cross the finish line to a standing ovation from 65,000 spectators.

Together, they created a moment that is remembered fondly in the hearts of the British public.

While Mears, the father of British Olympic hopeful diver Chris Mears, has been honored after maintaining a bedside vigil, together with his wife Katy, in 2009 when his son suffered a serious training accident while competing for Team GB at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney.

Thanks to the support of his parents, Chris has made a full recovery and is now aiming for selection to Team GB to compete at the London Olympics.

"I am delighted that Jim Redmond and Paul Mears have been nominated as torchbearers for the London 2012 Torch Relay," said chairman Colin.

"The often unsung role that parents play throughout the lives of Olympic athletes in nurturing the values, dedication and commitment needed to become a successful Olympian is invaluable."

Besides the two great fathers, included in the list of Olympians put forward by the BOA are 26 of the Team GB 2012 ambassadors, unveiled in March 2011, who have won 49 Olympic medals, including 25 gold medals among them.

Also some outstanding British Olympians, aspiring athletes of the future, volunteers and staff who work tirelessly within their sports were recommended by the Olympic National Governing Bodies ( NGBS) allocated by BOA.

The 70-day Olympic torch relay will take the Olympic Flame on an 8,000 mile journey across the UK this summer.