Olympic Games 2008

Torch re-routed in San Francisco

Article published on the 2008-04-09 Latest update 2008-04-10 13:06 TU

Police accompany torch-bearers in San Francisco
(Photo : Reuters)

Organisers of the San Francisco leg of the Olympic flame relay changed its route at the last minute, as thousands of people turned out to protest against China's human-rights policy and alleged repression in Tibet. The flame's journey through the city passed off without incident on Wednesday.

Just as the official parade began, behind schedule, the athlete carrying the torch changed course via a warehouse and boarded a bus which brought the flame to the start of a new itinerary. The athlete then carried the Olympic flame over a shorter, unannounced route. The official closing ceremony took place at San Francisco International Airport.

RFI's correspondent, Stéphane Hiscock, said that there was much confusion as spectators and protestors alike tried to establish why the flame had disappeared. By five in the evening, he said, it was clear that the flame was not coming along the originally planned route.

It was a "tough decision", according to San Francisco mayor Frank Newsom, who admitted that many people had missed "the opportunity of a lifetime". He said the decision was to taken so as to avoid arrests or injuries. International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said he was satisfied that the San Francisco leg had passed off trouble-free.

The torch now moves to Buenos Aires.

The torch will be carried by Olympic athletes a total of 137,000 kilometres through 20 countries, including  the summit of Mount Everest in Tibet. Two Indian athletes have already bowed out of the torch ceremony.

 

View the entire route of the Olympic flame