Miss Kolka

PRODUCING IN PARIS

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Sendi it back to China | 07 avril 2008

Ridiculous!

Its the only way to describe the Olympic torch relay in Paris this afternoon. We went with my ever so authority-allergic father to watch the torch go by a bridge in the neighborhood. For over an hour the nervous and enormous police presence did everything to block traffic, pedestrians and others from going their way. We waited and waited.. amongst hundreds of police cars and some ridiculous red coca cola vehicles with teenagers on them "in partnership with the Olympic games" that passed by where the flame should later follow. And still no torch. A small crowd could be seen on the other side of the bridge, making noises and waving something that resembled flags with something written on them. Probably pro-Tibetan protesters. And all this before a tiny bit of an sport athlete could be spotted, even in a distance. One person taken into a car by police, another one clearly handcuffed. Then finally - there seemed to be some action in the air (at least 3 helicopter flying back in forth came nearer to our spot, there was snow, and then rain) and then alot of jogging security forces. Ah.. hold on, I think I might have seen something... no did I? Yes, between the 8 vans and trailed by at bus, there was a guy running, with something in his hand.. I wonder if it was the torch - it was white and red - for the 3 seconds I saw it appear before being hidden again by police. Oh and yes, the flame was out. Apparently for "technical reasons" I later heard on the news. Sure. All around me questions: "Has it gone by yet? Is it over? Was it the flame? Did you see anything?".

What a ridiculous event. Why even bother going through the city? The trail is now well over an hour late due to all the protesters evenly dispersed around Paris. Spear us the shame and send it back to where it came from. This summer's games in Beijing are bound to be fun.