Olympic Torch Disgrace

NAR

That Barry McGuigan was not asked to carry the torch. One of our most successful boxers and sportsmen, whose talents were admired by both sides of the community.

I'm sure we can all think of many who did carry the torch that were less deserving of the honour. So why was Barry overlooked - I want answers!

POPPYOSCAR

NAR wrote: »

That Barry McGuigan was not asked to carry the torch. One of our most successful boxers and sportsmen, whose talents were admired by both sides of the community.

I'm sure we can all think of many who did carry the torch that were less deserving of the honour. So why was Barry overlooked - I want answers!

How do you know he was not asked? Has he said he was not?

NAR

Yes, he was on the Nolan Show last night and stated he had not been asked. He sounded genuinely upset that he had been snubbed/ignored.

Golden_Anemone

I didn't see the show so don't know if Barry was asked whether he had made it known he would like to do this?

To be honest if he didn't then I think he's being unreasonable. As in every area of life, communication is key and it's a 2 way street. The organisers of the torch relay no more have access to crystal ball technology than the rest of us.

Of course if he did express an interest at the time that nominations from the public were being sought and was overlooked then that's another matter entirely.

NAR

Do you really think Mary Peters had to say she would like to run with the torch?

It was only Joe Public that had to be nominated/declared an interest. Celebrities - Patrick Kielty, Colin Murray, Jedward, to name a few, were "selected" by the organising committee.

teffers

If they're having people like that numpty WillIAM whilst using his phone then it's all pretty much a bunch of !!!!!!!!.

Feel bad for Barry though.

warehouse

Stuff the celebrities like Barry McGuigan. They've done very well out of us already with their millions in the bank. Sod them.

It should be the great unwashed for the whole relay.

Mistral001

warehouse wrote: »

Stuff the celebrities like Barry McGuigan. They've done very well out of us already with their millions in the bank. Sod them.

It should be the great unwashed for the whole relay.

Barry McGuiggan after he won the World Title at one time, I believe, was practically broke. He knows what hard times are like.

Also he has his roots in the Olympics when he was an amateur. Some celeb - getting his brains bashed out representing his country for no pay.

BigAl94

Posting removed

Golden_Anemone

NAR wrote: »

Do you really think Mary Peters had to say she would like to run with the torch?

It was only Joe Public that had to be nominated/declared an interest. Celebrities - Patrick Kielty, Colin Murray, Jedward, to name a few, were "selected" by the organising committee.

No, I doubt Mary Peters had to declare an interest but she is a gold medal winning Olympian. Barry McGuigan was a world title holding boxer but to my knowledge never won an Olympic medal and he hasn't exactly been prominent in recent years.

I'm not against the guy, I accept that he contributed a lot to sport in Ireland, North and South, in his time, but I do think that this comes across as whingeing on his part.

If he wanted to do this why not contact the committee weeks/months ago and say so rather than wait until last night's Nolan show?

spike7451

Problem is that Barry is 'old hat'...you ask a person under 25 y/o who Barry McGuigan is & they'll say "Who?" in all likelyhood.I'm sure the only reason people know who George Best is because he's got an airport named after him.