Heavy Security Dominates S.F. Torch Run

Yesterday’s torch relay in S.F. was truly a bizarre scene. A last-minute end-around by Mayor Gavin Newsom and USOC Chair Peter Ueberroth avoided major protest but also meant the torch ambled down side streets with hardly anyone watching. As one CNN reporter said while following it live, viewers saw plenty of police and security, but “one thing you won’t see is people. There’s no one around the torch because they are going off the path.” The IOC’s Jacques Rogge admitted yesterday was "not the joyous party that we had wished it to be.” The majority of press clippings today suggest the relay should not continue -- USA TODAY’s Christine Brennan faults the IOC for creating “its own international incident,” while the FINANCIAL TIMES’ Richard McGregor writes it is “clear that it should be canceled.”