David Beckham literally kicked off the account down to the 2012 Olympics in London as he launched a soccer ball into the crowd to symbolically accept the torch for his home country.

Beckham was joined by Jimmy Page and X-Factor winner Leona Lewis among others.

Many were shocked that David left his wife Victoria at home to travel to Beijing as the couple were rattled in a car accident on the way to the airport near his home in France. Victoria was crying and David seemed upset to be leaving Posh behind. Ultimately the Beckhams were unharmed from the accident.

David has also expressed interest in coaching the U.K. soccer team for the 2012 games.