Thorpe hopes torch protests will respect the Olympic flame
23/4/2008 17:31
Multi-Olympic champion Ian Thorpe said in Canberra today that he was
excited to be a torch bearer and would be undaunted by the prospect of
demonstrations during the torch relay in Canberra tomorrow.
Speaking at a
press conference held here with local officials, Olympic organizing officials
and police officers, Thorpe said this was the first one for him to run the torch
relay and hoped the relay would be peaceful and smooth.
"I hope it's a
peaceful protest and there is respect that this is the Olympic flame and it
stands for a lot more than just the situation in China."
Thorpe said he did
not worry about the protests and looked forward to the torch relay.
Thorpe
will carry the torch for the final leg of the relay to Canberra's Commonwealth
Park before lighting the Olympic cauldron at a ceremony on the shores of Lake
Burley Griffin.
Xinhua
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