Olympic Torch Passing Ceremony in San Francisco Re-routed, Chinese Supporters Urged for Peace

By Luke Leung

San Francisco - On Apr. 9, the Olympic Torch arrived in San Francisco, which brought the attention of all the Olympics supporters. Chinese from numerous places aggregated at the starting point and ending points, participating in the ceremony.

The Torch passing ceremony was scheduled for 1 p.m.; however, starting at 7 a.m., large number of supporters, in particular Chinese from the Bay Area, brought and lifted up the Olympic flags and the flag of China in the nearby vicinity. Prior to the beginning of the ceremony, each formed their own dance groups and cheering teams and began their dances and songs.

The Chinese students who are studying abroad gathered people through the internet, where supporters came together from many places. One student expressed that sports is sports, Olympics itself sends out the spirit of peace; Another Chinese student currently studying at a Christian university came to support because he thinks that the Olympic is a movement of peace.

The chairman of the Olympic committee expressed that the Passing of the Torch in numerous places is to call upon the attention of all towards peace, and that is the spirit of the Olympics. Addressing the protests of many human rights organizations and Tibetan activists towards the Torch Passing Ceremony, he emphasized that no matter what happens, the torch passing activity will continue to be held in all places.

The last moment route-change of the Torch Passing disappointed many people.

[Editor's Note: article is contributed by reporter Dorcas Lim in San Francisco.]

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