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'I felt just like a celebrity carrying Olympic torch'
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| Dame Kelly Holmes has plenty of protection as she carries the torch (c) |
TWO ENFIELD teenagers were among 18 young torchbearers who carried the Olympic flame through the streets of London on Sunday.
Adam Wright, 16, and Mayuri Morawaka carried the flame on the London leg of its world tour prior to the Beijing Olympics later this year.
The Olympic torch relay has courted controversy, with human rights campaigners disrupting the London leg on Sunday and then the Paris leg the following day in protest at China's treatment of the people of Tibet.
Bush Hill Park teenager Adam won the chance to take part in the torch relay after entering a competition at Edmon-ton County School, where he is a pupil.
As a keen runner and member of Trent Park Running Club he fitted the bill nicely for the organisers. But he was there for very personal reasons as well.
"I carried the flame in memory of my dad," said Adam. "On the day London was awarded the Games, he found out he had terminal cancer. I dedicated it to my father."
Organisers had hoped the parade would be a peaceful expression of the Olympic spirit, but it rapidly turned into skirmishes between protesters and the police.
The open top bus that carried Adam and nine other flame bearers was repeatedly targeted by opponents of Communist China's policy towards Tibet.
Adam said: "The bus took a wrong turn and soon protestors were right beside us, shouting shame on you'.
"I was nervous. We were right in the middle, with Chinese supporters on one side and the Free Tibet crowd on the other.
"It was surreal to be there. There was only one policeman on board with us and he said that what was happening was the worst case scenario.
"I knew there would be some protestors but did not expect it to be that bad."
Adam was unable to carry the flame in Fleet Street as intended beca-use the clashes were too violent. He eventually carried it for 100 metres at around 2.30pm in the St Paul's area where the protests were less heated.
Adam said: "I felt like a celebrity then. Everyone was taking photos and cheering. That has never happened to me before. My mum was very happy when she heard later on."
Police made 37 arrests on the day, the majority for public order offences.
12:44pm Tuesday 8th April 2008
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