Olympics in Coventry

Watching paint dry seems a much more attractive proposition to me

I do find it a little sad that an opportunity was missed by not giving every leg of the local journey of the Olympic Flame to the citizens of Coventry. Also the crowds, the enthusiasm and the interest was large enough to afford an extension of the route by a mile or so, to offer many more ordinary people of the city a once in a life time experience.

I was at the Memorial this evening. I was suprised how many were there. Overall a good event and a good way to get over the disappointment of the festival. I was though a bit miffed when I learnt that between the stages the flame was carried on a bus! And agreed Harrier - what the heck was the footballer Kanu doing taking the flame to the Park gates? I just hope a deserved Coventry sportsperson like Dave Moorcroft is involved in the morning. Hats off to whoever is organising the relay though.

Great photos BrotherJoybert, really reflect the excitement of the occasion! Neil and Harrier, couldn't agree more that the carrier of the torch should have been local - although this seems to be an issue in all areas that it visits - although Neil, I guess if they had run/walked all the way in between "stops" they would still be running at Christmas!

.... and leaving from Millennium Place this morning ... ... the torches "kiss" in Broadgate ... And considering the time of the morning - what a fantastic turnout!!

Thanks for the above pics - very pleasing to see that the celebrations continued this morning with crowds to match. The big cheer - video clip Another video from yesterday - Twist and Pulse did a stint on stage and ended it with the above. Gives some indication of the numbers that attended. Have just watched the kids get their hands on the torch on Binley Road - nice piece on Central news just now.

Thanks Brother Joybert and Tony for the photos and video - much appreciated.

The torch thieving attempt. It's on the BBC main page - Coventry famous again! We've been laughing about it all day.

Thanks to all above for the great photos - I hope you don't mind me adding yet more! The atmosphere on the Binley Road this morning was absolutely electric. Before joining in, I was almost sceptical about the attraction of "the flame", but oh boy was I surprised just how magical the effect was on the tens of thousands of people lining the sides of the Binley Road. It felt like a jubilee all over again, and is something we don't get to experience very often.

Thank you BJ and Rob for the excellent photos. How wonderful to see 'THE FLAME' carried through Coventry. Could you tell us how many times it changed hands altogether through our city? (glad it kept dry!)

I was amazed at the interest shown. I watched on Binley Rd by Copsewood Terrace, I couldn't believe the excitement it caused. I was treated to sausage batches and a nice cup of tea by my cousin who lives in Copsewood Terrace, very nice because I had just finished a nightshift, she also made batches for anybody who wanted them. It was just like the Jubilee but shorter. Brilliant hour, I really enjoyed it.

Hi Dreamtime, Glad you liked the photos. Here's a link to the list of Coventry Torchbearers. Several were from this area - and a number of Coventry people carried it in others areas - can't understand the logic of that! It appears there were 25 involved. Sounds like you had a brilliant time cabbie! Now if I'd known there were sausage batches being provided ...

Thanks TonyS, it looks as if there was a good turnout along the route. They must have forgotten to tell Philip about the sausages!!!!! We would have been there too if it were possible.

Thank you Dreamtime, yes, it was a really great couple of days, there were huge crowds for the events on both days, and I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Even some schools turned out early, and others allowed pupils a late start. I had quite an early start yesterday to get down to Millennium Place for 6:15am to take pics!

You are not the only one who does not understand that "logic". A chap I know from swimming days called Dougie Chamberlain was doing his bit in West Brom of all places and he is Coventry through and through. It does not make sense to me to take people away from their town/city. I understood that torchbearers when chosen were supposed to live no more than an hour away. I believe one lady lives in San Jose. She'll have to get a move on to get there in an hour!