Lee Seung-gi to be torchbearer at Olympics

Samsung Electronics on Tuesday selected singer and actor Lee Seung-gi as a torchbearer for the 2012 London Summer Olympics.

“He is a beloved star at home and abroad, so that is why he has been chosen as a flame bearer for the Olympics,” said Samsung Electronics, the official sponsor for the Olympic torch relay.

The flame is scheduled to arrive in Britain on May 18 from Greece, travel around 1,000 U.K. cities, and arrive at the London Olympics Stadium on July 27 for the opening ceremony.

Among the 8,000 torchbearers, Lee will run with the flame in the 3rd week of June.

“This is such a great honor to be part of the global festivity,” Lee said. “I hope that I can send some positive energy to the Korean athletes so they can set good records at the Olympic Games.”

By Kim Young-one (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)