Torch attracts crowds

Torch was lateTorch was latearriving in Philly dueTorch was latearriving in Philly dueto massive crowds inTorch was latearriving in Philly dueto massive crowds inNew Jersey "We're ready -- trust us we're ready," said Debbie Wright, a resident of North Philadelphia. She was one of tens of thousands Philadelphia-area residents gathered Tuesday night to await the arrival of the Olympic torch on its way to the Summer Games in Atlanta. Enticing the thick crowds, Mayor Ed Rendell explained that the torch was over an hour tardy because of the overwhelming response from the people of New Jersey. Rendell asked the citizens if they were prepared to welcome the flame. "I brought my daughter to this celebration because I feel it is important for us to be involved with this year's centennial olympic festival," Wright commented. "Since we can't make it to Atlanta -- tonight is our chance to share in the glory. And we are ready and waiting." Wright, along with fireworks, emergency crews, and cheering people, greeted the torch as it crossed the Delaware River from New Jersey at approximately 9:55 p.m. Foreboding skies did not dampen the occasion as numerous musical and dance groups tried to make the wait more bearable for the excited crowd. "The crowds have been so overwhelming along the New Jersey route that our pace has been quite slow today," said relay spokesman for the Atlanta Committee for Olympic Games David Emanuel. "We did not anticipate this type of response." While waiting for the festivities to begin, the crowd enjoyed a carnival-like atmosphere. But sounds of helicopters constantly reminded the people of what they came to see. A motorcade took the torch from Morisville down U.S. 1 to Philadelphia. At the Falls Bridge on the Schuylkill, the torch left the motorcade and 14 people took turns carrying it along West River Drive to Eakins Oval -- where the crowd began to cheer on the runners. "How could I live so close and not come to see this?," said College senior Laura Paladino. "The torch didn't go to Nebraska, so I had to come here." Minutes before the arrival of the torch Rendell explained that "instead of politicians or celebrities" community leaders will bear the torch. A lawyer who has participated in six years of community service and a police officer who is also a volunteer fireman, were part of the fifty "community heroes" chosen by the United Way and 10 former Olympians who were chosen to carry the torch. Joe Frazier, a gold medalist in boxing, and Rafer Johnson, a gold medalist and three-time world champion in the decathlon circled the crazed crowd before the final hand-off, which began the gala ceremony. "With Joe Frazier and all these Olympic athletes right here, today is a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Engineering sophomore Josh Ewing. "I wouldn't miss it for anything." By this time the torch was almost a hour and a half behind schedule, but the crowded roared as Dawn Staley, a Philadelphia native and point guard for the women's Olympic basketball team, began the final leg. She ran up the steps of the Art Museum, which flashed with red and blue lights, while the theme song to Rocky blasted over the loudspeakers. The olympic star proceeded to run down the steps to light the large torch. "This flame is the symbol of our closeness -- with our neighbors and with our neighboring countries," said Suzanne Perry of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvanian while the lighting took place. A laser light simultaneously followed the ceremony, which was successful but people began to slowly file out of the area due to the lateness of the performance. "We would have liked the hours to be better, but when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade," Perry said. While most of the crowd was still present, Rendell granted permission for everyone to be late for school or work on Wednesday. But the torch relay runners certainly did not take his advice. On Wednesday morning at 5 a.m. it was relit from the "mother flame" and was swiftly moved down Walnut Street. The relay passed the University of Pennsylvania campus at approximately 5:30 a.m. Nancy Schultz, the widow of slain Olympic wrestler David Schultz was one of the torch bearers in the morning. The route out of Philadelphia followed Walnut Street into Upper Darby, where it headed out to West Chester Pike. The route then proceeded down U.S. 202 to Wilmington, Delaware. Since beginning its 84-day trip in Los Angeles on April 27, the Olympic flame has traveled via cable car, steamboat, crop duster and horseback. The 1996 Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to begin in 28 days in Atlanta. A professor from Temple University, Micha Hohenberger, said he would have not missed the ceremony for anything. "I feel so lucky to be able to take part in the torch relay -- it has been a very unifying experience," Hohenberger said.

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