The Opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics is just a few hours away, and we still don't know who will be handed the prestigious honour of lighting the Olympic flame.

The entire ceremony has been shrouded in secrecy, with the flame due to be the pinnacle of the highly-anticipated event.

Here, Sports Mole counts down the five leading candidates to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Muhammad Ali in lighting the famous Olympic flame.

Sir Steve Redgrave
Perhaps Britain's greatest ever Olympian, and one of the best the Games has ever produced. Sir Steve Redgrave glided on top of the water as effectively as Michael Phelps glides through it, storming his way to five gold medals in five consecutive Games. Beginning his rowing reign in Los Angeles in 1984, Redgrave went on to win in Seoul, Barcelona, Atalanta and Sydney to complete an unprecedented achievement. Certainly a deserving candidate to light the flame.

Daley Thompson
Daley Thompson is arguably the greatest all-round athlete Britain has ever produced. Participating in the decathalon - one of the toughest events going - Thompson won gold in Moscow in 1980 before repeating his success four years later with another gold in Los Angeles. Widely regarded as the greatest decathlete ever, Thompson broke four world records in the event and also won golds in the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Sir Roger Bannister
Despite never winning an Olympic medal, Sir Roger Bannister remains one of Britain's most revered athletes. His only Olympic showing, in Helsinki in 1952, ended in disappointment as he finished fourth in the 1500m, despite breaking the previous Olympic and British record. Bannister's real legacy remains his sub-four minute mile, however, as he became the first man to ever break the milestone. Bannister is now the bookmakers' favourite to light the flame.

Lord Sebastian Coe
Perhaps the man who was most responsible for bringing the Games to London, and an Olympic legend in his own right, Sebastian Coe is as deserving as anyone of lighting the flame. Coe won gold in the 1500m in both 1980 and 1984, as well as silver in the 800m in the same Games. Since hanging up his running boots, Coe has become an MP and chairman of the bid to bring the Olympics to London.

David Beckham
Perhaps the people's choice but by far the most unlikely on this list. David Beckham was controversially left out of Stuart Pearce's Great Britain football squad, despite playing a major part in bringing the Games to London. There is no doubt that Beckham is a national treasure, and he has already confirmed that he will play some part in the opening ceremony, but his lack of Olympic experience is likely to count against him.

Sports Mole's verdict: Sir Steve Redgrave
There are a group of people deserving of the accolade, but perhaps none more so than Redgrave. His five gold medals over five different Games showcases his desire, endurance and willpower - all things that make a great athlete. It is only right that the flame-lighting duties should go to Britain's greatest ever Olympian, and that is Sir Steve Redgrave.