He was also a torchbearer for the 2012 Olympics and was featured in Adidas' "Impossible is nothing" advertising campaign.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

But Waltham Forest Council has said it will pay for any of its residents running in London as a torchbearer.

BBC: London 2012: Waltham Forest pays for Olympic torches

Neonatal nurse Jo Chubb, who works at Middlesbrough's James Cook Hospital, said she was "blown away" to be chosen as a torchbearer.

BBC: North East Olympic torchbearing hopefuls receive offers

Adrian Derbyshire, a London 2012 Olympic torchbearer, lost six swords and other equipment when his garage in Warrington was broken into on Saturday.

BBC: GB wheelchair fencer: Police bag discovery "amazing news"

Adrian Derbyshire, a London 2012 Olympic torchbearer, lost six swords and other items when his garage was broken into on Saturday in Warrington.

BBC: Adrian Derbyshire

She appears briefly as an Olympic torchbearer in the video prepared by the city of Atlanta for its bid for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

FORBES

He added that although he was still "really excited" to be a torchbearer, it was a "shame" that "people are faced with such a dilemma".

BBC: London 2012: Bearers charged to own Olympic relay torch

The torchbearer event was being organised by Durham County Council.

BBC: Durham Cathedral torchbearer event halted because of snow

Amy, 14 from Mounts Bay School in Cornwall and Cassie from Northern Ireland both said that they had been nominated for the job of torchbearer because of their outstanding sportsmanship.

BBC: School Report: Land's End lights the way to London 2012

There is a danger the polyester torchbearer uniform will make the individuals look like they are part of a government healthy-living initiative rather than amazing people that have been chosen for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being an Olympic torchbearer.

BBC: London 2012: Will the Olympic Games be a stylish affair?