The Olympic Torch Comes To Nantong

25 May 2008

The Olympic Torch came to Nantong University today - Sunday, 25 May 2008.  As luck would have it, The Old Codger was close enough to where a point where the torch was passed on to another runner. 

The temperature today was quite comfortable, though humid and the air was fairly heavy with pollution - which means that there wasn't a breeze. 

To be honest, The Old Codger just isn't able to get too worked up over the Olympics no matter where they are held.  It is a sure bet that he won't be traveling to Beijing for the games in August, despite having an invitation to go.  Nope.  Too many people and too bloody expensive for The Old Codger's tastes.

For the Torch Relay, everyone had to stand along one of the roads that runs through the University for about an hour and a half waiting for the torch to come.  To say that the wait was somewhat boring would be close to being an understatement.  As one person said afterwards, "that's two hours I will never get back." 

Security was tight - but not too tight.  Everyone was expected to stay on one side of the road or another.  For the most part, everyone did.  When a person did try to cross the road, they were hollered at by either the local traffic police or University security people, but that was about it. Very unlike in other countries that the torch has passed through.

Even though problems like protests or demonstrations were extremely unlikely, there was plenty of security surrounding the torch.  There were at least 3 large army trucks filled with army personnel and an additional 4 charter buses filled with army or police personnel.  Other support vehicles were also in the convoy immediately before and after the torch runner. 

The Old Codger believes that it would be a very safe assumption that the Chinese are not going to tolerate any protests or disruptions during the games in Beijing, judging by the manpower deployed to protect the torch and torch runners.  They look very well equipped to handle just about any situation that could arise.  Hundreds, if not thousands of pictures were taken of the crowds along the torch route, no doubt to be reviewed later on. 

All in all, it was a 'once in a lifetime experience' for The Old Codger - never to be repeated again.  Been there.  Seen it.  Done it.  Didn't get a prize - except for some small flags - one Japanese, one American, one Chinese and one Olympic.  Rather anti-climatic as it only lasted about a minute. 

Pictures of the event are on the next page.

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