Olympic Torch Lighting 2012: London Games Will Set New Tradition

Instead of having past athletic heroes like David Beckham or Roger Bannister light the Olympic torch to start the 2012 London Games, Great Britain gave the honor to seven teenage athletes. This surprising decision will lead to other Olympic host countries adopting the idea and creating a new tradition in the games.

The Olympics, whether we're talking Winter or Summer Games, are steeped in history longer than some countries have been in existence, but there is always room for change and adding onto history.

The class act by Great Britain gave several young athletes the memory of a lifetime in lighting the Olympic torch and served as a visual celebration of the young athletes who aspire to represent their country at the games. If that's a tradition not worth starting, I don't know what is.

The International Olympic Committee enjoys the event's long history, but have shown they are willing to bring in new sports like BMX and reinstate older ones like team handball in the past few decades, so there is room for new editions.

While the torch lighting is not a sport per say, it is all part of the Olympics and it would be great to see what occurred in London happen every time the Winter or Summer Games roll around.

That being said, this tradition won't likely be one mandated from the IOC, but would need to be kept alive by whichever nations get the honor of hosting the Olympics in the years to come. Sochi and Rio are the next two venues for the Olympics respectively, and those coordinators would have to decided if this torch lighting idea should continue when they host.

While the torch lighting is far from the most exciting thing to happen during the entirety of the Olympics, that visual representation to the start of the games is one that always sends chills to its viewers.

It would be great to see seven lucky young athletes from each host nation get the amazing opportunity to be a pivotal part of that feeling. Great Britain chose to be different and to give a new twist on the classic lighting which should be replicated every two years when the Olympics take sports' center stage.