[Mrluvaluva]

It was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime honour granted to the great and the good in Britain.

And the 8,000-mile Olympic torch relay across the UK has been cheered on by thousands since it set off just days ago after arriving in the country accompanied by David Beckham.

But the privilege of taking part in the Olympic torch relay for this summer's games is also providing an opportunity for participants to cash in - with eBay auction bids for the prized torches already reaching up to £150,000.

A number of the torches - which are given to bearers in the relay for a discount price of £295 - have already been put up for sale on the internet auction site.

One seller, whose listing has reached a price of £111,000, has not even completed their leg of the relay yet, with the eBay user promising to post the torch 'as soon as the run is completed and the funds have cleared'.

Andrew Bell, 32 - who completed his relay leg in Marazion, Cornwall - was one of those to put his torch up for sale on eBay, saying he hoped the auction would provide some much needed income for his family.

Mr Bell told the Sun newspaper: 'I understand some people may find the idea of selling an Olympic torch offensive but we could genuinely use the money.
'Without giving you a sob story, we've a lovely baby boy and my wife has just gone back to work after maternity leave.'

Mr Bell, who has since taken down the listing of his torch, added: 'Also, the torch is nearly a metre long, and looks weird on the mantlepiece.'

Although the astronomically-high prices of many of the auctions suggests the sales have been targeted by hoax bidders, Olympic organisers have refused to condemn those people planning on selling their torches.

A spokeswoman for London 2012 said: 'The majority of people will want to keep their torch, but ultimately it's their property and for them to decide what to do with it.

'We hope the torches and uniforms find good homes.'

Although some runners have tried to cash in on taking part in the relay, the excitement of other torch bearers seems to be enough on its own.


Daily Mail


Ebay


Do you think it's morally wrong or do you say good luck to 'em?