Many of the people "chosen" to carry the Olympic torch have been executives who work for the Olympics 'Official Sponsor of' companies.
So much for local people being chosen by the local communities or returning heroes being involved.
Add in the ticketing fiasco, the London 2012 Olympics was never going to be an event for 'ordinary people'.
Probably just as well that the majority of the population that aren't caught up in the relentless hype are not the least bit interested in it.