Gay football network chair among final Olympic torchbearers

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The chair of the Gay Football Supporters’ Network was among the final Olympic torch bearers yesterday as the flame made its way to the capital.

Chris Basiurski was nominated as one of more than 7,000 Olympic torch bearers for his work promoting inclusiveness in football and chairing the network for the LGBT footballing community.

Carrying the flame past the BBC Television Centre in west London, he handed the flame on to Antoine de Navacelle, the great grand-nephew of Baron Pierre de Courbetin, the father of the modern Olympics.

Mr Basiurski said: “I’m honoured to have carried the torch through London and it was amazing to see and hear all the support from both my family and friends and GFSN members along the route.”

PinkNews.co.uk was told there were cheers when, moments before his torch was lit, Mr Basiurski publicly thanked his boyfriend for the nomination and told the crowed of their plans to marry next year.

The flame will light a cauldron at the Olympic Park in east London tonight to mark the official start of the Games.