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In Slumdog Director's Olympic Opener, No Athletes?

Coaches fear participation will detract from Olympians' success

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 25, 2011 10:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – The director of Slumdog Millionaire wants to feature athletes in the 2012 Olympics' opening ceremony, which he happens to be directing—but their coaches aren’t so keen on the idea. British track and field coaches have barred their athletes from participating over fears that doing so could tire them out before the events even begin. British swimming coaches look set to impose a similar ban, the Independent reports.

A rep for the athletes on the 2012 board says the ceremony could “actually boost athletes' motivation,” noting that director Danny Boyle “wants to make the athletes the stars of the show." The British sports minister isn’t so sure. “What I want” from the head of UK athletics “is a record haul of British athletic medals and it's up to him to deliver that.” If he does, “nobody is going to worry whether the athletes went to the opening ceremony or not.” Boyle has reportedly started working on a new ceremony.

Danny Boyle is set to direct the 2012 Olympics' opening ceremony. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

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In Slumdog Director's Olympic Opener, No Athletes?

Coaches fear participation will detract from Olympians' success

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2012 London Olympics • Opening Ceremony • Danny Boyle • athletes • London • 2012 Olympics

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