Japan speculates over identity of final Olympic torchbearer

FILE PHOTO: Golf - Women’s British Open - Woburn Golf Club, Milton Keynes, Britain - August 4, 2019. Japan's Hinako Shibuno celebrates by kissing the trophy after making a birdie putt on the 18th hole to win the Women’s British Open Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

TOKYO (Reuters) - With the Tokyo Olympics less than a year away, speculation is growing in Japan over who will be the final torchbearer to light the cauldron in the new Olympic Stadium, in the traditional ritual that begins every Games.

Some predict a famous Japanese athlete, such as retired baseball player Ichiro Suzuki, will do the honours. Others say it will be an ordinary, but symbolically important, person.