M4 Troubles Bad Sign for Games
As ominous as peals of thunder in the distance, London faces its first transport crisis before the Games even begin. Cracks in steel girders for a bridge on the main motorway from Heathrow Airport to Central London has shut a key stretch of the M4.
The result is a quagmire for travelers to or from the airport and in the western suburbs of London in general. It’s now taking 90 minutes to two hours to make the 15-mile trek from airport to city. The snafu threatens the smooth transfer of thousands of athletes who arrive in the next few days.
For me, travelling out of London Wednesday evening to go to Stonehenge, it took two hours to escape the clog in the west before reaching open highway. The return Thursday morning via Heathrow took 90 minutes, following the route to be travelled by the arriving Olympians.
"The road will be open when it is fixed," appears to be the philosophy of the Highways department in charge of the repairs (based in Birmingham, we hear). Estimates that the road would re-open this week have fallen by the wayside.
Torch Relay Media Moment
A sunrise with a blue sky helped to make a stunning backdrop at Stonehenge for Thursday’s "media moment" with Olympian Michael Johnson. It was an event made to order for the bank of dozens of cameras assembled at the mysterious stones, with just a handful of spectators (mostly officials) watching the spectacle.
The double Olympian at the 1996 Games came jogging up the path to the monument with a blazingtorch, pausing for a minute to give the photographers plenty of time to get their shots, far longer than is usually the case with torchbearers.
He took a lap around the site that lasted about a minute, then passed the flame –"the kiss" -- to Milly Clifford, a 19 year-old university student from nearby Salisbury who also runs the 400m. She had already run with the torch the day before.
Clifford then took her lap around the stones. And then, to take advantage of the glow of the rising sun, Johnson’s torch was re-lit for a new round of photos.
Then all was bundled up and sent on to Salisbury, where the main legs of the relay got underway a little later in the morning.
Never one for getting too excited, Johnson told Around the Rings the "experience was magical, just great". Now 44, Johnson carried the torch for the Atlanta Olympics right before those Games.
To view video of Thursday's "kiss" from Stonehenge, click here.
Pray for the Olympics
Whether for speedy repairs on the M4 or the abatement of the persistent rain that’s soaking London, Sunday night may be a good time to offer prayer at Westminster Abbey.
"A Service in Celebration of the London Olympic Games" is set for the abbey July 15. The service is meant "celebrate the Olympic ideals and offer thanksgiving for those who have worked on and will be participating in the 2012 Games".
Leaders and staff from London 2012 and related organizations are expected for the service.
Written and reported in London by Ed Hula.
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