Olympic torchbearers cash in at up to

[Hum]

Some of Britain's Olympic torchbearers have been making the most of their country's special moment -- by selling their torches on eBay, attracting bids of over ?150,000 ($237,000, 186,000 euros).

The gold-coloured torches began appearing on the auction website within hours of the torch relay starting in southwest England on Saturday, and one torchbearer said Monday she had received a final bid of ?153,000.

Each of the 8,000 runners -- chosen for their "inspirational" personal achievements or contribution to local communities -- can buy their torch for ?215, discounted from the ?495 cost price, a London 2012 spokeswoman told AFP.

One torch, used on Saturday and billed as "an amazing sporting souvenir -- be one of the first to have one!" was attracting bids of over ?30,000 on Monday, while another seller was asking a minimum of ?145,000.

Organisers said they were powerless to stop the sales.

more

[LittleNeutrino Veteran]

you would think you would keep something like that.

[jakem1]

As far as I'm aware it hasn't been confirmed that anyone has actually paid ?150,000 for a torch. However, the woman selling the torch may not run now that news of the sale has got out - apparently she's worried that people will attack her on the route :laugh:

you would think you would keep something like that.

I'd take the money if someone was stupid enough to pay it. Why would you want to keep something like that?

[Hum]

Why stop there ?

Sell replicas ... :shifty:

[episode]

Why would you want to keep something like that?

Because its an amazing piece of memorabilia. That said - if I was getting anything north of $10k for it, it would be sold.

[Detection]

?150k or a piece of metal.....

Scratches head...

[jakem1]

Because its an amazing piece of memorabilia. That said - if I was getting anything north of $10k for it, it would be sold.

To each his own. I'm with Detection and think it's just a worthless piece of junk :)

Of course, it would make a good comedy cigarette lighter ;)