Special report:   2008 Olympic Games

 

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. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    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.