Torch Relay

[MIKYSALT]

Torch relay

I have to say all these Tibetan demonstrations are starting to irritate me.

Its been known for years that China will be hosting the Olympics and London also has one of the biggest chinnes new year celebrations in the world.

Which gets bigger every year and passes of without any trouble.

I find it strange that all of a sudden all these people are suddenly so concerned about Tibet,

Which Im sure is a worthy cause , but one for which no one apparently gave a moneys nuts during the Chinese new year celebrations.

[MIKYSALT]

Monkeys nuts that should have been.

[Citius Altius Fortius]

Of course the Olympic Games are exploited by the Tibetans and Uyghur people to call attention toward their problems - this is extreme this time since PR China is a dictatorship - I think it would be wrong to point the finger on the Tibetans and Uyghurs, who use the Olympic Games for their purposes, since the PR China will use the Olympic Games to promote their dictatorship, too.

Nobody can tell me that the IOC wasn't aware of this - this was totally predictable - and you can be sure that it will become very interesting in the next five month and during the Games - can you imagine when visitors use the Olympic Venues for the demonstration - I hope the PR China doesn't get the idea to arrest visitors from foreign countries - then you can "bury" the Olympic Games and the IOC...

[TheOtherRob]

As long as the protests remain peaceful I'll be glad to see some in London in many ways. Might make my way up on Sunday to see what's going on.

[MIKYSALT]

The Delilarma had a better image before all this trouble started.

[TheOtherRob]

Yeh, because it's all about image isn't it?

Anyway, changing the subject ever so slightly, light snow is forecast tomorrow in London.

[cfm Jeremie]

Anyway, changing the subject ever so slightly, light snow is forecast tomorrow in London.

Would it be a first for a summer torch relay? (I know that the Sydney Torch was carried by skiing but I don't remember snow actually falling during a summer torch relay).

[Mainad]

The Delilarma had a better image before all this trouble started.

So did China!!

[Citius Altius Fortius]

lol - on the official Beijing Olympics page are 23 photos in the gallery of the torch relay in London:

11 photos are showing pictures of London without torch relay (resp. "preparation of the relay")

2 photos out of an empty stadium (which are in reality the same picture)

2 photos are from St. Petersburg (which are in reality the same picture)

3 photos are from the avron (which is not reachable by public)

[TheOtherRob]

lol - on the official Beijing Olympics page are 23 photos in the gallery of the torch relay in London:

11 photos are showing pictures of London without torch relay (resp. "preparation of the relay")

2 photos out of an empty stadium (which are in reality the same picture)

2 photos are from St. Petersburg (which are in reality the same picture)

3 photos are from the avron (which is not reachable by public)

HAHA, you're not wrong there! We'll see if any more go up in the next day or so.

Here's a link

http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/journey/london/photos/

[its a bid of magic]

I'm sure if they had given that guy a chance, he would have shown ex-blue peter presenter Konnie Huq a better torch he had made earlier. She wasn't letter go though was she. They should sign her up to train our relay squad how to keep hold of a batton.

[MIKYSALT]

Im so glad I made it to the millennium dome, it was quit something really when I first saw the glimmering light of the flame and the torch was passed to Kelly Homes, in real life it looks much more colourful than it does on TV.

There was also an electrically charged atmosphere as two rival groups one supporting china and the other supporting Tibet shouted at each other,ouside the tube station but the police did good job of leading every one that wanted to seethe torch being lit to the right area

From watching the news you would think every one there was a demonstrator, in reality the supporters out numbers the demonstrators ,

That’s also the first time I have been back to the millennium dome since I went there in the year 2000, I think they have done a good job inside of retaining the feel of the dome where the millennium was celebrated , but made it better.

[kevzz]

I am very pissed at all those protestors too! They are just so annoying! Here's my failed attempts at yesterday's route trying to see the torch!!!

1) We walked from Trafalgar Square, which was pretty carnival like with mostly pro-china supporters. But we reckon it's bit too crowded hence making our move to Westminster. Who knows while approaching Downing Street, the huge contingent of pro-tibetans protestors was blocking the path. We literally have to walk through all these angry, agressive protestors very slowly. I think it took us 15 min to get through the crowd. They were noisy, irritating and their shouting has a violent tone to them. After we made it through the crowd, we felt really worn down by the negative and oppresive energy. Nevertheless, it got much quieter and we decided to wait at the junction between Parliament House and Whitehall.

Suddenly there's a commotion. Those protestors running up the street, chasing some buses and vans. Nobody knows what is going on, and I caught a glimpse of Kevin Pieterson inside a bus holding the torch. I thought he was being transported to the next point to wait for the flame. After the crowd ran past us, the police dispersed too. We stood there not knowing what happenend and someone told us that was the torch. But it was in the freaking bus! I dont even see any flame!

Anyways, we have not gave up yet.

2) We made our way to St Pauls, thinking there shouldnt be too much protest in front of a cathedral. Arrived at 1.30pm, some people already gathering along the barriers, but all pro-china supporters. Basically just peaceful quiet Londoners with kids and stuff. Royal Scots Guards arrived, played some nice music on the cathedral steps. School kids in Olympic colours uniform were gathering in front of the steps, waving flags, Lord Mayor and some dignitaries were all standing on the steps waiting. Everything looks like it's going smoothly until those protestors came out of nowhere and again chanting and shouting! Nevertheless, the relay contingent seemingly arrived on site, but I reckon the flame is in the bus again. The bus stopped a while in front of St Paul, some police were gathering looking like discussing strategy. And the bus took off with some guy on the open roof deck waving the torch with no flame on!! We can't believe what happened, as it's freezing cold and most of us have been waiting there for more than 1 hour. No explaination was given why the bus just left. Everyone were perplexed and suddenly all the church people went inside and Lord Mayor went into his limo and the Royal Scots Guards left too. Just like that. It was totally unbelievable how unorganized these events are. They shouldnt be afraid of those protestors. So many polices were around I think not even the Queen has this level of protection and security.

I think the tibetan protestors really screwed our enjoyment and anticipation of this relay but I felt the police should just let the torch runs its course and not cancel some stops just because of them.

I feel sorry for those parents who brought their kids along to see the procession but their experience was marred by these inconsiderate protestors.

Enough of my rant...