The Hindu : Proposal to bring Olympic torch to Delhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 28, 2003

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Proposal to bring Olympic torch to Delhi

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI JUNE 27. The Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi, Vijai Kapoor, today met representative of the Organising Committee for Athens-2004 Olympic Torch Relay, James Page, at Raj Nivas to discuss the modalities of bringing the Olympic Torch to Delhi -- for the first time in the history of the Games -- as the relay event has been proposed by the panel for celebrating the return of the Olympics to Athens.

Stating that the torch is a powerful symbol of carrying the message of athletic achievement and international peace to all the five continents which are symbolised by the Olympic rings, Raj Nivas said the meeting was set up pursuant to the request of the president of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games to the Lieutenant-Governor for facilitating the conduct of the Olympic Torch Relay in Delhi.

The meeting was also attended by the Director-General of the Sports Authority of India, representatives of the Indian Olympic Association, and Secretary (Education) of the Delhi Government.

The gathering was informed that after the lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece, the torch would pass through more than 25 nations and 30 cities.

In Asia, it would travel to Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing and Delhi where it is due to arrive on June 10, 2004. And from here it would leave for Cairo.

In Delhi, the relay function would last six to eight hours and involve nearly 100 individual torch-bearers and sport runners. It would culminate in a major celebration in the evening.

To ensure smooth and orderly conduct of the event, a task force is being constituted which would facilitate the relay and provide support to the Athens Olympic Games Organising Committee.

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