Oh, good ideal

                       Fortress
Located in the center of the Old World, Istanbul is one of the world's great cities famous for its historical monuments and magnificent scenic beauties. It is the only city in the world which spreads over two continents: it lies at a point where Asia and Europe are separated by a narrow strait -- the Bosphorus. Istanbul has a history of over 2,500 years, and ever since its establishment on this strategic junction of lands and seas, the city has been a crucial trade center.

The historic city of Istanbul is situated on a peninsula flanked on three sides by the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It has been the capital of three great empires, the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and for more than 1,600 years over 120 emperors and sultans ruled the world from here. No other city in the world can claim such a distinction.

During its development, the city was enlarged four times, each time the city walls being rebuilt further to the west.

Surrounded by 5th century Roman city walls and stretching over seven hills, Istanbul is adorned by the masterpieces of Turkish art, the great mosques of the Sultans that crown the hills. The city presents an exquisite, majestic and serene silhouette from all directions. The Golden Horn, which is a very secure natural harbor, has played a significant role in the development of the city.

Fortune provided such advantages to Istanbul as a location at a junction where the main overland routes reach the sea, an easily defensible peninsula, an ideal climate, a rich and generous nature, control of the strategic Bosphorus, and a central geographical position in the ancient world.


           Suleymaniye Mosque
As a capital of empires, the city was not only an administrative, but also a religious center. The Patriarchate of Eastern Christians has been headquartered here since its establishment, and the largest early churches and monasteries of the Christian world rose in this city on top of the pagan temples. Within a century after the city was conquered, it was enriched with mosques, palaces, schools, baths and other architectural monuments that gave it a Turkish character, while some of the existing churches in ruins were repaired, altered and converted into mosques.Between the 16th century when the Ottoman sultans acquired themselves the title of the "Caliph of Islam" and 1924, the first year of the Republic, Istanbul was also the headquarters of the Caliphate. More Jews settled in Istanbul than any other port, and here they built themselves a new and happy life after they were rescued from Spain by the Turks in the 15th century. Istanbul has always been a city of tolerance where mosques, churches and synagogues existed side by side. The city was adorned with a large number of dazzling and impressive works even during the period of decline of the Ottomans.

During this time, the influence of European art made itself felt in the new palaces, while the northern slopes of the Golden Horn, Galata and Beyoglu districts assumed a European character. Even when the Empire, which was a party to World War I, collapsed and the young Republic that replaced it moved the capital to Ankara, Istanbul did not lose its significance.

The haphazard development that began in the years following World War II and accelerated in the 1950's has unfortunately had a negative impact on the fabric of the old city, and while old wooden houses disappeared rapidly, concrete buildings proliferated. Istanbul experienced a population explosion due to immigration, and within a very short period it expanded far beyond the historical city walls. The areas inside the walls were invaded by workshops, mills and offices; even the new thoroughfares could not solve the traffic problems, and the inadequacy of the infrastructure gave rise to a sea pollution problem, starting with the Golden Horn.

With the initiatives for saving the city in the 1980s, Istanbul embarked on a process of restructuring on a scale unseen in its history.Thousands of buildings along the Golden Horn were demolished to make way for a green belt on its shores; parks and gardens were built on the land claimed by filling up the beaches of the Sea of Marmara. In order to prevent sea pollution drainage systems were completed and physical and biological wastewater treatment plants were erected; the use of natural gas for heating has considerably reduced air pollution.

Efforts are continuing for the restoration of the Roman city walls, and Beyoglu, the main artery, was rescued by building a newavenue. Improvements were made in ihe general cleaning, maintenance, garbage collection fields and these services are now at Western European standards. Ring roads cross the Bosphorus over two suspension bridges to connect the two continents. The European side has now a fast tramway system and a subway, and comfort and speed has been ensured in sea transportation with the hydrofoil terminals built on the seashores. All industrial establishments on the historic peninsula have been moved to new facilities in the suburbs, and the new international bus terminal has reduced traffic intensity. The old jail and the first large concrete building of the city were given over to tourism and converted into 5-star hotels.

The city is growing dynamically and developing at full speed on an east-west axis along the shores of the Marmara.

(Credit: Istanbul Portal. Click here for further information.)

                            The Bronze Horseman
During the course of two and a half centuries, St.Petersburg became one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its remarkable architectural ensembles and multiple architectural masterpieces have deserved the right to be famous because of their marvelous beauty: gardens, parks, art objects, bridges, granite embankments, outstanding engineering constructions (such as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan), monuments and sculptures, situated in St.Petersburg and its environs -- Petrodvorets, Pushkin, Pavlovsk, Gatchina, Lomonosov. Unlike many other outstanding European cities, St. Petersburg presents a large and complete complex of architectural ensembles-squares, streets, embankments and parks-united into one system. From the time of its foundation, the city was developed to be the new capital and sea port of the largest country to come onto the world scene. This was one of the main reasons for its swift development and for the creation of its impressive architectural ensembles.

The building of the city was executed under severe natural conditions, in a marshy region, using piles and with extensive drainage works. The most important constructions of the future city center were laid out and built at the same time: the Fortress of Sts. Peter and Paul, the Admiralty and others. These constructions gave the city its characteristic appearence, preserved even today. Afterwards, a number of other splendid buildings were designed on the banks of the Neva river. Thus, stone by stone, the central ensemble was built, and has become famous as a world art treasure. The structure of the city, preserved until our times, is the result of the skillful use of natural conditions in planning and construction. Thus, in the first half of the eighteenth century, the radial system of avenues (Nevsky, Vosnessensky and Gorokhovaya, united by the developing city centre) was completed. The central group of city ensembles on the Neva river embankment is the most important in terms of city planning and architectural features. In this place the river is divided into two parts (the Great -Neva and the Small Neva), and we find the complex made up of the Fortress of Sts. Peter and Paul, the spit of Vassilievsky Island, the Winter Palace, the Admiralty and University embankments , the squares (Palace, Decembrists', St. Isaac's, Field of Mars) and Nevsky Prospect. Natural and climatic conditions influenced the planning of the city and its architecture. Today also, construction takes these conditions into account. St. Petersburg is situated on a low-lying plain. Following the guidelines of state-regulated construction in force until the middle of the 19th century, the city's buildings had similar numbers of storeys , with higher compositions in places. Some of these compositions-the Spire of the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Admiralty spire, the cupola of St.Isaac's Cathedral-shine above the city and could be clearly seen from the sea, from Pulkovo, and from other places outside the city boundaries. The magnificent perspectives of the Neva river, large squares (Field of Mars, Palace Square) and straight, wide avenues (Nevsky, Moskovsky, Stachek [Strike])-are typical of St. Petersburg. And there are many smaller but still splendid squares, parks, streets and canal embankments: Art Square, Ostrovskii Square, Furshtadtskaya Street, Pushkinskaya Street and others. As a rule, the streets of the city are straight and wide. This is a distinctive feature of the city and it places it among many European cities, built in the Middle Ages and later, which also have this feature. The appearence of the city is defined by the Neva river, multiple smaller rivers, channels, canals, granite embankments and various bridges.

Cloudy and overcast weather predominates, and the regular abscence of harsh shadows influences the colours of St. Petersburg's buildings. The colours are used to emphasize the architectural forms and details. The various shades of the public buildings and private houses and the use of very bright colours (yellow, blue, turquoise, green, dark red) for the main constructions, with contrasting white for architectural detail, give the city a distinctive and typically Russian local colour and make it picturesque. St.Petersburg makes an indelible impression during the period of the "white nights," when

"Dawn hurries to give way to dusk,

Giving half an hour to retreating night ..."

(A.S.Pushkin)

Nicknamed "The Northern Palmyra" long ago, St. Petersburg is very beautiful in winter also, when the snow lies on cornices and lintels, and silvery hoarfrost covers the granite of its monuments. The best architects understood the natural conditions of the site, beginning in the eighteenth century and continuing beyond the first half of the nineteenth. And they used them well.

             The Olympic flame arrives in Istanbul
(ISTANBUL, April 3) -- The people of Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and the second city on the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay route outside of the Chinese mainland, welcomed the Olympic flame on Thursday, April 3.

Traveling aboard the "Journey of Harmony" chartered Air China flight from Almaty, Kazakhstan, the flame landed just after midnight (GMT +3), and BOCOG Executive Vice-President Jiang Xiaoyu disembarked carrying the safety lantern that held the flame.

At Saint Sophia Square on Thursday afternoon, Jiang is to hand a kindled torch to Turkish Olympic Committee President Togay Bayatli, and Bayatli will in turn hand the torch off to figure skater Tugba Karademir, the first torchbearer, to start the relay at 2:00 p.m. (GMT +3).


   Jiao Xiaoyu, Executive Vice President of Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games (BOCOG) handed the safety lantern to vice governor of Istanbul province Ergun Gungor.

The torchbearers will pass through many notable sights along the relay route, including the Bosphorus Bridge that connects Europe and Asia, in the city that spans two continents.

The last torchbearer will reach the end of the relay route at around 6:40 p.m. (GMT +3).

i like this is 2008 beijing olympic.
whole sportmen success to wish.
friendly,love,like,affection,everything very beautiful.
beautiful word.
TEAM WORK
(How can smile green unless crying of clouds.? How can gush the breast milk unless crying of child.?)

Olympic belongs to the world..........

ONE WORLD, ONE DREAM

It's very kind of you, ASHLEYTUNG
Thank you!
Be peaceful, SUPPORT!
love the world and to be loved

Welcome to visit Beijing!

ST. PETERSBURG, April 5 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Olympic torch relay in St. Petersburg, the third leg of its global journey, ended on Saturday afternoon at the Palace Square.

Mayor of St. Petersburg Valentina Matviyenko (L Front) gives the torch to torchbearer Galina Zybina, Russia's shot put gold medallist at the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, at the Victory Square in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 5, 2008. St. Petersburg is the third stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

At around 3 p.m. (1100 GMT), the last torchbearer Svetlana Zhurova, the vice speaker of Russian State Duma and a gold medalist at 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, ran into the Palace Square on the south of the Winter Palace, where a huge crowd had already waited to received the Olympic flame.

A grand celebration was held starting from 2:30 p.m. at the square. After Zhurova lit the cauldron, the audience brought out a burst of applause.

Galina Zybina, shot put gold medalist at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, was the first torchbearer running from the Victory Square at about 10:45 a.m. (0645 GMT).

After 250 meters, she handed over the flame to Leonid Tyagachyov, the president of the Russian Olympic Committee, who ran another 250 meters.

There were a total of 80 torchbearers in St. Petersburg, including famous athletes, cultural and business figures and politicians, covering a distance of about 20 kilometers.

The Olympic torch had already been relayed in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on April 2 and Turkey's Istanbul on April 3. It will go on Saturday evening from St. Petersburg to London, the capital of Britain.



Flags of the past Olympic Games are displayed at the Victory Square in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 5, 2008. St. Petersburg is the third stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua)


People wait to watch the torch relay in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 5, 2008. St. Petersburg is the third stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua)


A torchbearer runs with the torch in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 5, 2008. St. Petersburg is the third stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua)


The set-off ceremony for the Olympic torch relay is held at the Victory Square in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 5, 2008. St. Petersburg is the third stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua)


Honor guards line at the Victory Square, the start of the Olympic torch relay in St. Petersburg, Russia on April 5, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice president of BOCOG, shows off Olympic flame as he disembarks in London.


(LONDON, April 5) -- The Beijing Olympic flame arrived in London, the host city of the 2012 Olympics, at 7:00 p. m. (1800 GMT) on April 5 for the fourth leg of an unprecedented relay around the world.

The Olympic flame, carried in a specially designed lantern, flew into London from St. Petersburg, Russia, onboard the Olympic Torch Relay's chartered plane.


         London welcomes the sacred flame.

The London leg of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay will begin at Wembley Stadium at 10:30 a.m. (0930 GMT), April 6, 2008. Among the celebrities participating in the event are Sir Steve Redgrave, winner of five Olympic gold medals in rowing, and retired English middle-distance athlete Dame Kelly Holmes.

The relay will bring the flame to some of London's most famous spots including the British Museum, the arch in Chinatown, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, and the main stadium of the London 2012 Olympic Games, among others.

A celebration will be held at Greenwich, the relay's final London destination, at around 6:00 p.m. (1700 GMT).

[ Last edited by ASHLEYTUNG at 2008-4-6 19:27 ]

As a capital with an international influence, Paris is involved in major global issues. Solidarity initiatives, cultural exchanges, European policies and cooperation agreements: in all these fields we strive to be available for others and to benefit from experience gained elsewhere for Parisians.

Paris, a city of European dimensions

Paris, a European capital. The City's cooperation agreements with many cities in the European Union are a way of sharing social, cultural and administrative best practices. The twinning with Rome, which has celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, has been given new impetus. Paris also takes part in EU city networks. Find out about the "Paris Europe" label, which supports Parisians' European projects, and the "Maison de l’Europe" in Paris the aim of which is to make the EU simpler, closer and more concrete for you.

Paris, international capital

Paris shares the same reality and concerns as all major cities across the world: social, democratic, environmental, economic and cultural issues. The City of Paris wishes to further dialogue, share experiences and expertise. This is why Paris' international initiatives are based on exchanges and on the respect for identities.

Cultural exchanges

Paris has inspired the greatest artists. Many programmes are conducted with over forty capitals and major foreign cities so that it remains an open capital of culture, where creators from all over the world meet, share and produce their work. The aim is to enable the Parisian artistic scene to be exported abroad. Artist residency programmes, foreign spotlights and several international projects are the result.

Heads of State and prominent figures received at the City Hall

Heads of State on official visits to France, mayors of major cities and prominent figures are received at the City Hall by the Mayor and the Council of Paris. This tradition enables distinguished guests to receive the welcome they expect from a city open to the world.

International action & cooperation

Bound by history and culture, Europe, the Mediterranean and the French-speaking world are important partners in Paris' natural arena of cooperation, which can prove to be a laboratory of ideas. City Hall's cooperation initiatives are based on its ability to share its expertise.

International solidarity

Three priorities: taking part in the fight against AIDS in Africa, improving access to drinking water and sanitation in countries which are the most deprived and defending human rights. City Hall shows its solidarity by providing technical and financial aid following natural disasters. It also supports Parisian associations which are present in the field.


http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/journey/paris/index.shtml

   The Beijing Olympic flame left London and arrived at the Charles De Gaulle airport at 11:40 pm of Sunday local time, preparing for its fifth stop of the world journey. (Photo credit: Xinhua)


PARIS, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Olympic flame left London and arrived at the Charles De Gaulle airport at 11:40 pm of Sunday local time, preparing for its fifth stop of the world journey.

Chinese Ambassador to France Kong Quan and French Olympic Committee officials greeted the arrival of the flame.

Vice president of Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games Jiang Xiaoyu led the flame delegation and made a brief exhibition of the lantern which encases the sacred fire.

The Beijing Olympic torch relay in Paris on Monday is a good way in memory of Paris-born Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of modern Olympic movement.

The Olympic torch will pass major landmarks and scenic spots of Paris including the Eiffel Tower, the Arch of Triumph,Champs Elysees Avenue, the Concorde Square, Le Louvre museum and Cathedral of Notre Dame.

French Olympic champion Marie-Josee Perec, Portugal forward Pedro Miguel Pauleta and badminton player Pi Hongyan are among the 80 torchbearers who will follow Coubertin's footsteps to spread the Olympic spirit.

Spectators cheer and wave Chinese national flags as they watch the Olympic torch relay in Paris, capital of France, on April 7, 2008. Paris is the fifth stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua)


PARIS, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic torch relay concluded in Paris Monday afternoon, after repeated disruptions by Tibetan separatists and their supporters which aroused indignation from spectators and sports officials.

The torch was forced to be put on an accompanying bus for four times in the afternoon as precautions against the protestors, a Xinhua photographer reported. The journey was cut short and brought to the final place by bus.


Spectators cheer as they watch the Olympic torch relay in Paris, capital of France, on April 7, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Earlier, a protestor tried to use a fire extinguisher to put out the Olympic torch, but was stopped by police, and another one failed in his attempt to snatch the torch from a torchbearer.


Torchbearer Mathieu Pinto runs with the torch during the Olympic torch relay in Paris, capital of France，on April 7, 2008. Paris is the fifth stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua)


At least five protesters were detained for blocking the Beijing Olympic torch relay in the French capital, the AFP news agency reported.

Henri Serandour, head of the French Olympic Committee on Monday criticized the protests as "highly regrettable."

"I think that people should have let this flame through, that they could have held their protests to one side," he said.

"Everyone has a right to express themselves but to stop it passing shows a lack of respect for the basic freedom of our athletes to carry this flame, which is a message of peace to the whole world," the chief said.

Another member of the French Olympic Committee said here Monday that the Olympic torch relay should not be affected in any way.

"The Olympic sacred fire is a symbol of peace, tolerance... and should not be affected by anybody in any way," Guy Drut told France 3 television.

Spectators of the Beijing Olympic torch relay were greatly annoyed and angered by Tibetan separatists and their supporters attempting to disrupt the Monday event in Paris, the fifth leg of the flame's global tour.

"We've come here only to watch the torch relay," said a Paris student, who gave his first name as Mark.

"What in the world does this have anything to do with us except for annoying us?" he added, pointing to Tibetan separatist demonstrators.

Liu Zijun, a Chinese student studying in Paris told Xinhua that the Beijing Olympic Games is a big event for China, she and her friends were very angry about the protests around the relay of the sacred fire.

"A majority of the French people are friendly towards China, but they have no knowledge about what really happened in Tibet and have been misled by some western media's distorted reports," Liu said, adding those media have played a "very bad role" in the matter.

Tens of thousands spectators went to the street of Paris to watch the torch relay, which covers 28 kilometers starting the Eiffel Tower and ending at the Stade (Stadium) Charlety in the south of the city.

Many on-lookers waved Chinese flags to cheer the event or put flag stickers on the face.

One of them told Xinhua that some of the flags were hand-made by themselves or posted by their friends in China.

Spokesman of the torch relay center of the Beijing Olympic Organization Committee Qu Yingpu said that the torch relay started in Paris smoothly, but has encountered protests during the process. Due to technical and safety reasons, the relay team had to change the ways of torch bearing four times during the process and put the torch onto the bus before the relay was resumed towards the south of Paris.

On Sunday, he said that as the highest symbol of the Olympic spirit, the Olympic flame represents peace, friendship and progress. Under the authorization of the International Olympic Committee, the Beijing Olympic torch relay is taking its journey of harmony throughout the world, sharing the passion and glory of the Olympics with the world, and has received warm welcome from the people en route.

However, a few "pro-Tibet independence" activists have attempted to interrupt the torch relay during its journey in grave violation of the Olympic spirit, as the Olympic flame belongs to the world. The act will surely arouse resentment of the peace-loving people, and is bound to fail, he said.

The Beijing Olympic torch relay takes place on Monday in Paris, the fifth leg of its global tour.

The 2008 Olympic flame was ignited on March 24 in Ancient Olympia of Greece and was handed over to Beijing on March 31 after a six-day relay in Greece.

The 130-day torch relay will cover 137,000 km before the flame returns to Beijing and enters the National Stadium on Aug. 8 for the Olympics' opening ceremony.

A total of 21,880 torch bearers will be participating in the unprecedented relay, which is held under the theme of "Journey of Harmony."

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                      Updated：2008-04-08
On April 7, a man attempted to sabotage the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in Paris, France. This photo shows the torchbearer protecting the torch as authorities wrestle the man to the ground. (Photo credit: Jia Ting)

(PARIS, April 8) -- The fifth leg of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay kicked off at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, at 12:30 (GMT +2) on April 7. Here, a 27-year-old woman named Jin Jing, the third torchbearer in the relay, garnered much attention from media for her bravery.

A wheelchair user, Jin of Shanghai, China, had been repositioned one kilometer off the original course due to last minute modifications to the route.

Carrying the torch on the new course along the Seine River, Jin demonstrated great valor when a "pro-Tibet independence" activist, attempting to disrupt and sabotage the torch relay, reached for her wheelchair and lunged toward her. Without concern for her own safety, Jin did her best to protect the flame, her face exhibiting courage and pride in spite of the chaotic situation.

In that moment, it was easy to see why her friends call her the "smiling angel in a wheelchair."


On April 7, a man attempted to sabotage the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in Paris, France. This photo shows the torchbearer protecting the torch as authorities wrestle the man to the ground. (Photo credit: Jia Ting)



But her bravery is not incidental. In 1989, when Jin was in third grade, a malignant tumor was found in her ankle, leading to amputation of part of her leg. She later returned to school after a year of chemotherapy. Refusing to use a cane for fear that she would get in people's way, Jin insisted on getting around on one foot. Her persistence would lead to a lot of pain, but she would survive.

Successfully battling cancer, Jin would even become a member of the Shanghai Wheelchair Fencing Team in 2001.

Being selected as a Lenovo torchbearer "feels like a dream," according to Jin. "God closed one door but opened another -- happiness is the best gift you can give yourself," said the optimistic Jin.


Chinese torchbearer Jin Jing (M) shows her courage and pride in spite of the chaotic situation. (Photo credit: Jia Ting)





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Updated：2008-04-09 From：Xinhuanet
Jiang Xiaoyu (C), the vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games (BOCOG), and Zhou Wenzhong (L), Chinese Ambassador to the United States, pose for photos together with the lantern which holds the Olympic flame in San Francisco, the United States, April 8, 2008. San Francisco is the sixth stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua)


SAN FRANCISCO, April 8 (Xinhua) -- As the Olympic torch has traveled to San Francisco, the city is extending its arms to embrace the flame with pride, emotions and courage.

With the world looking on to the sixth leg of the torch relay around the world, the flame, a symbol of Olympic unity, received VIP treatment as it arrived in San Francisco early Tuesday morning.

"We treated it like a head of state visit," airport spokesman Mike McCaron said.

Despite heightened security in the face of any possible disruptions by Tibetan separatists and anti-China groups, the city puts on an atmosphere of peace and harmony, particularly along the relay route decorated with Olympic flags.

The city has mobilized its resources to ensure the success of the torch relay. Mayor Garvin Newsom has vowed to host a safe torch ceremony.

The San Francisco Police Department, along with the mayor's staff and some other departments, "has been working continuously with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure the safety of the Beijing torch run participants and the spectators," Newsom told Xinhua.

"The Olympic torch represents the journey for excellence, and we are honored to have the opportunity to host and contribute to the Beijing Olympic Journey of Harmony," said the mayor.

Boasting landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Fishermen's Wharf, the Transamerican Building and the famous Victorian houses, San Francisco is widely seen as an ideal backdrop for the torch run.

The Olympic torch route will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at McCovey Cove behind AT&T Park, travel up The Embarcadero to Aquatic Park and after coming down Bay Street, backtracking until it ends in Justin Herman Plaza where a grand celebration will bring the event to a climax.

The city has mapped out a grand ceremony for the relay, naming 40 torchbearers out of 535 candidates across North America. They will join 40 others in the torch relay.

Just the thought of carrying a torch that holds the flame is an emotional experience for the torch bearers.

"I was in shock. It brought tears to my eyes because it is such a big honor," said Lisa Hartmayer, a 29-year-old registered nurse from San Francisco, who was skiing in Colorado when she received a telephone call notifying her that she had been selected to help carry the torch through the city.

None of the torchbearers interviewed by the media expressed concern for their safety.

"I'm not fearful at all," declared Hartmayer, who plans to carry the torch, despite security concerns arising from protests. "I have faith in the peace officers and I'm not concerned at all, I really am not. I never really thought about it, maybe I'm a little bit too trusting."

Hartmeyer is not alone. Many of those chosen to carry the Beijing-bound Olympic flame through the city said they welcome the torch.

Another torchbearer Todd Hallenbeck brushed aside fears about the protests.

"It doesn't change how I feel about the honor of bearing the torch," said Hallenbeck, 25, with the Pacific States Marine Fishing Commission.

Former Olympian Marilyn King said, "It's sad for me as an Olympian I believe strongly in the Olympic movement and what Pierre de Cubertin said that the purpose is to educate youth to create a better and more peaceful world."

She said if she had fears, that was not for herself but for what it means for a symbol she reveres.

Former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown told a press conference on Tuesday that since the majority of San Francisco citizens welcomed the torch, there was no reason to worry about the success of the relay.

In response to a question raised by Xinhua about what he should do if protesters tried to grab the torch from him, Brown said he was not worried about such a possible scenario because he expected San Francisco citizens, as peace-loving people, not to resort to such an act.

For the Asian communities, the extraordinary event carries greater significance. Many in the Chinese American community see the Olympic Games as a celebration of dramatic transformation of China.

China bore the image of "the sick man of Asia" for most of the 19th and 20th centuries, said David Lee, head of the Chinese American Voters Education Committee, a nonprofit civic education and research organization, and a political science instructor at San Francisco State University.

"Many Chinese Americans feel a great sense of pride that San Francisco has been chosen for the torch relay," Lee said. "And for those of us in the community who have long been anticipating the torch as a (symbol of) China's emergence as a superpower, the protests are an unwanted distraction."

"There are folks who are coming to support the torch relay from across the U.S. and around the world," said community activist Henry Der. "Chinese Americans are taking great pride that Chinese folks are going to pull off the Olympics - that huge event. That's why there is an ethnic pride, and it is not nationalism."

To give the Olympic flame a spectacular reception, tens of thousands of Chinese Americans will line the relay route to show their support, said Siu Yuen Chung, Chairman of the Chinese American Association of Commerce (CAAC).

For the special event, the CAAC has distributed 10,000 T-shirts imprinted with the Olympic symbol to people across the city, Chungtold Xinhua, adding that the T-shirts are in short supply as so many supporters want to wear them.

The CAAC, in cooperation with almost 200 Chinese American associations, will also organize a show of Taichi boxing by hundreds of people at Justin Herman Plaza where the relay route will end.

While anxiously expecting the torch relay, many San Francisco citizens expressed dismay at attempts to link the Olympic Games with politics.

Shirley Olivo, a 75-year-old San Francisco native and grandmother of a special Olympian, said carrying the torch and the Olympics shouldn't really be about politics.

"We understand your rights of free speech, by all means, but bea gracious host, be sensitive to the fact that in San Francisco one-third of your inhabitants are Asians," said attorney Edward Liu.

He said he opposed attempts to "politicize this game", saying, "to use this torch relay as a platform to bash China to me is unacceptable."


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