As the Olympic torch has travelled to San Francisco, the city is extending its arms to embrace the flame with pride, emotions and courage.
With the world looking on to the sixth leg of the torch relay around the world, the flame, a symbol of Olympic unity, received VIP treatment as it arrived in San Francisco early Tuesday morning.
"We treated it like a head of state visit," airport spokesman Mike McCaron said.
Despite heightened security in the face of any possible disruptions by Tibetan separatists and anti-China groups, the city puts on an atmosphere of peace and harmony, particularly along the relay route decorated with Olympic flags.
The city has mobilized its resources to ensure the success of the torch relay. Mayor Garvin Newsom has vowed to host a safe torch ceremony.
The San Francisco Police Department, along with the mayor's staff and some other departments, "has been working continuously with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure the safety of the Beijing torch run participants and the spectators," Newsom told Xinhua.
"The Olympic torch represents the journey for excellence, and we are honored to have the opportunity to host and contribute to the Beijing Olympic Journey of Harmony," said the mayor.
Boasting landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Fishermen's Wharf, the Transamerican Building and the famous Victorian houses, San Francisco is widely seen as an ideal backdrop for the torch run.
The Olympic torch route will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at McCovey Cove behind AT&T Park, travel up The Embarcadero to Aquatic Park and after coming down Bay Street, backtracking until it ends in Justin Herman Plaza where a grand celebration will bring the event to a climax.
The city has mapped out a grand ceremony for the relay, naming 40 torch bearers out of 535 candidates across North America. They will join 40 others in the torch relay.
Just the thought of carrying a torch that holds the flame is an emotional experience for the torch bearers.
"I was in shock. It brought tears to my eyes because it is such a big honor," said Lisa Hartmayer, a 29-year-old registered nurse from San Francisco, who was skiing in Colorado when she received a telephone call notifying her that she had been selected to help carry the torch through the city.
None of the torch bearers interviewed by the media expressed concern for their safety.
"I'm not fearful at all," declared Hartmayer, who plans to carry the torch , despite security concerns arising from protests. "I have faith in the peace officers and I'm not concerned at all, I really am not. I never really thought about it, maybe I'm a little bit too trusting."
Hartmeyer is not alone. Many of those chosen to carry the Beijing-bound Olympic flame through the city said they welcome the torch .
Another torch bearer Todd Hallenbeck brushed aside fears about the protests.
"It doesn't change how I feel about the honor of bearing the torch ," said Hallenbeck, 25, with the Pacific States Marine Fishing Commission.
Former Olympian Marilyn King said, "It's sad for me as an Olympian I believe strongly in the Olympic movement and what Pierre de Cubertin said that the purpose is to educate youth to create a better and more peaceful world."