The Olympic Torch Relay
The Olympic torch relay passed through San Jose on its way to Salt Lake City on January 18, 2002.
Contrary to popular belief, the flame is not run all the way to its destination, but is actually
driven, flown, or taken by boat or other forms of transportation along much of its journey. The
last time the flame was run all the way to its destination was in the 1984 Los Angeles games, but
that time only athletes were allowed to carry the flame so that it would arrive at its destination
in time.
There was a celebration in downtown San Jose's Almaden Plaza when the
relay passed through. A stage was set up on Almaden Avenue, and a
big screen attached to a truck sponsored by Coca-Cola
showed videos related to past and present Olympic relays. There were also large air-inflated
figures in the area that I think represented Olympic athletes.
A Mariachi band plays as everyone awaits the arrival of the torch relay.
The arrival of the Olympic flame kicks off a 30 minute long celebration.
The torch is used to light a large cauldron on the stage, where the flame will burn during the
celebration 1 2
The celebration started off with a speech. The man to the right of the torchbearer
is San Jose mayor Ron Gonzales.
The San Jose group Taiko Dojo performed during the ceremony.
Finally, the torch is relit and carried off to its next destination, San Francisco.
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