From the AFP’s pre-Olympic torch relay coverage:
In Paris, police plan to secure a perimeter of some 200 metres (yards) around the torch as it is carried in relay by 80 runners on a 28-kilometre (18-mile) route from the Eiffel Tower to a stadium in the south of the capital.
The torchbearers will be protected by a cordon of 65 motorcycle police, 100 firemen, another 100 police on roller blades and nearly 50 vehicles with more than 200 riot police.
Two hundred meters! Break out your zooms if you plan to get a photo of The Flame that looks like anything more than a security scrum. Be that as it may, I particularly like the addition of 100 firemen. Nice French touch. Or better yet, touché? They sure don’t want that fire getting loose and running wildly out of control.
If I were a torchbearer I wouldn’t feel all that pleased about jogging in the middle of three score and five motorcycles and half-a-hundred “other vehicles.” That’s like working out alongside the Third Ring Road, which isn’t a recommended activity for the health conscious.
On another note, the People’s Daily photo of The Flame arriving in Paris shows two security guards, one lantern w/flame and no Jiang Xiaoyu. I hope this was just an unfortunate oversight and not because Mr. Jiang was indisposed. London was a tough day, but he’s got to stay out there in front, showing the faith.
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