Last Lap of Glory
THE symbol of the Olympics last night burst into life in a celebration of the flame that heralds the opening of the Sydney Games.
One million people turned the host city into a giant party as the torch was carried by an honor roll of celebrities, royalty, war veterans, sport stars and local heroes on its last full day’s journey.
John Newcombe, Olivia Newton-John, Pat Rafter, Karrie Webb, Steve Wang, Jeff Fenech and Prince Albert of Monaco were among those to carry the flame.
In an emotional highlight last night, the Olympic rings exploded into life on the Harbor Bridge in torch welcome.
In one brilliant moment Newton-John passed the flame to Rafter, and at once the Olympic illuminated the sky.
The crowd erupted in cheers and chanted for Rafter and Newton-John to come closer.
Rafter gave a thumbs up to the crowd when Newton-John arrived with the torch at 7.05pm.
He gave her a playful kiss on the cheek before receiving the flame.
Fireworks exploded from the two bridge pylons and the Olympic rings burst into light.
Rafter told the Herald Sun he had been “blown away” by the atmosphere in Sydney.
It’s very exciting. mate,” he said.
“This is easily the biggest Olympics thing I have done”.
A beaming Newton-John was joined by daughter Chloe as she posed for the crowd.
She jumped up and down on the spot, laughing that the sea breeze was making her legs cold.
When asked how she fell about her role in the Games, Newton-John simply said “Wow.”
But she admitted she was struggling with the weight of the torch saying she couldn’t believe how heavy it was.
The torch’s last fully journey ended with champion golfer Karrie Webb lighting the Olympic cauldron on the steps of the Sydney Town Hall.
Organisers said the flame had been cheered on by 15 million Australians on its 30-day journey to the Town Hall - its last resting place before proceeding to Stadium Australia tonight.
The flame begun yesterday’s relay before dawn in northern-suburban Concord, forged its way to the coast and out into the Pacific Ocean before making its way back shore and heading into the heart of the CBD.
Residents of beachside Clovelly were given a special treat when Prince Albert ran with the torch.
The debonair royal was mobbed by hundreds of onlookers who swarmed around him.
“It’s just incredible,” Prince Albert said “Just coming along the route has been unbelievable. There is so much excitement and it shows that the torch relay and the Olympics have really been embraced by the whole nation”
Soon after, Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh was overwhelmed by the experience of carrying the flame.
“It choked us all up.” Waugh said. “We were all a bit teary eyed after that.”
Olympics first lady Dawn Fraser - a clear crowd favorite had the honor of running through the heart of Sydney.
Earlier in the day, 60 lifesavers took the torch from Coogee to Bondi, via the Pacific Ocean.
Spectators crammed on to the beach and head-land to watch sprinter Dean Capobianco bring it to the water’s edge.
The torch was relayed on three surf boats as it was towed along the foreshore with a flotilla of rubber duckies.
The celebrations at Bondi could not have been more fitting.
Under a hot sun, tourists and locals in bikinis, board shorts, T-shirts and sandals flocked to catch a glimpse of the Olympic flame.
Some even swam out to meet the flame as it made its way in on a surf lifesaving boat,
The torch will be paraded around the host city today before it lights up the cauldron at Stadium Australia to mark the smart of 17 days of competition.