International   

Torch re-routed in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO: Last-minute changes to the Olympic torch’s route through the only North American city on its world tour helped it evade not only protesters, but also fans who lined up for hours waiting for a historic sight that never arrived.

“I’m disappointed, annoyed, tired, frustrated,” said Sydney Sullivan (18) after unsuccessfully trying to chase the flame through the city. “I mean, it’s not every day you get to see the Olympic torch.”

With scuffles breaking out between human rights activists and pro-Chinese groups on Wednesday, the relay was re-routed and shortened to prevent disruptions by massive crowds. The planned closing ceremony at the waterfront was cancelled and moved to San Francisco International Airport. The flame was then placed on a plane and was not displayed.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge expressed relief that the San Francisco relay avoided the turmoil of the torch’s previous stops in London and Paris.

“Fortunately, the situation was better ... in San Francisco,” said Mr. Rogge at an Olympic meeting in Beijing. “It was, however, not the joyous party that we had wished it to be.”

Chinese officials declared the San Francisco event a success.

“During the torch relay there we have seen lots of patriotic overseas Chinese and local people who warmly welcomed the torch relay, which left many moving moments in our hearts,” said China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu on Thursday.

“The torch will go ahead in spite of all the difficulties and spread the Olympic spirit and the concept of peace, friendship and progress. And this cannot be stopped by any forces.”

Less than an hour before the relay began, officials cut the original 9.7 km route nearly in half.

Then, at the opening ceremony, the first torchbearer took the flame from a lantern brought to the stage and held it aloft before running into a waterfront warehouse. A motorcycle escort departed, but the torchbearer was nowhere in sight.

Officials drove the Olympic torch about a km inland and handed it off to two runners away from protesters and media. The runners began jogging in the opposite direction of the crowds, and the procession gave front-row views to nearby residents, who leaned out their windows for the unexpected sight. More confusion followed, and the torch convoy apparently stopped near the Golden Gate Bridge before heading southward to the airport. — AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

60 p.c. polling in Nepal: panel
Swiss-Iran gas deal under attack
Two terror groups busted in Xinjiang
Torch re-routed in San Francisco
Thinley takes over as Bhutan Premier
Elton raises funds for Hillary
Decaying rubbish a health risk, say doctors
2,008 nudists to pack soccer field

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu