LONDON, England ● Crowds of thousands cheered the Olympic torch relay through London on Saturday on the final leg of its tour around Britain, generating excitement that organizers hope will dispel lingering fears about the event’s organization and security.
The relay, which began in London’s historic maritime district of Greenwich, drew a lively crowd as it passed by the myriad curry houses of east London’s Brick Lane, though the ensuing traffic gridlock underlined the challenges of hosting the Games in one of the world’s busiest cities.
Weeks of rain and logistical problems have prompted a slew of negative headlines in Britain’s famously critical press ahead of the July 27 to August 12 Games, with organizers struggling to recruit enough private security guards, forcing them to look to the army for help. Transport and border staff are also expected to strike soon, causing further headaches.
Still, that failed to dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm.
“It might be inconvenient for two weeks, but it’s such an advertisement for Britain, for London. We’re so excited,” said Rebecca Hurley, 46, who was with her husband and two daughters.
Others nearby, however, were far from thrilled, highlighting the cynicism with which some in Britain see the Games.
“I’m really not interested in sport. It’s hyped-up and annoying – two weeks of hell,” said barwoman Sophie Turner, 20.
Her friend said she was worried about bomb attacks.
More British army personnel will be drafted in to secure the games than are currently serving in Afghanistan, partly to make up for the shortfall of security guards.
The Olympic torch arrived in London on Friday after touring scores of British cities, towns and villages, delivered by a Royal Marine Commando who abseiled from a helicopter into the Tower of London, one of the capital’s main tourist attractions.
In the coming days, the torch will be carried around London’s religious, political and royal landmarks, culminating in the lighting of the Olympic cauldron in east London.
“As it sprints through the city, I know that its radiance will dispel any last remaining clouds of dampness and anxiety … and it will spread the crackling bush fire of Olympic enthusiasm throughout the city,” London Mayor Boris Johnson told reporters, referring to the torch.
Foreign media covering the run-up to the Games have poked fun at what they say is the British tendency to whinge, with an article in the New York Times listing Londoners’ favorite sports as “complaining, expecting the worst and cursing the authorities”.
But while organizational difficulties in hosting the Games may have dominated the domestic headlines in recent weeks, attention is now increasingly turning to the athletes and the political backdrop of the countries they represent.
In Britain, pressure is mounting for its athletes to beat or at least maintain the fourth place they achieved on the medal table at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
“This will be the most competitive Olympic Games in history and we don’t take for granted for one moment that this will be easy,” Andy Hunt, chief executive of the British Olympic Association and chef de mission of Team GB, told reporters.