April 15, 2008
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The Olympic Torch in Muscat
The Chinese community showed up early at the Muttrah water front.
We were also there early, not sure of how many would show up.
The atmosphere was great! The most cosmopolitan feel I've ever experienced in Oman.
Another first. A female Omani solider.
Ahead of the torch bearers, this lorry with a large TV showed up. But it suddenly stopped, and it seemed that the runners took a break for quite a while up the road. The sun actually set before the runners reached our section of the water front.
Finally, the Olympic torch appeared. Carried by Habiba Al Hinai, one of only three female athletes in the relay.
By the way, I sent this and the two pictures below to CNN's iReport, and they rang me from CNN Atlanta just an hour later. These pictures are now shown on CNN.
Click here.
As Habiba got ready to pass on the torch to the next runner, the security people formed a chain around her.
I ran alongside the torch for a while, but the runners were definitely not in a jogging mood. I could hardly keep up with them.
At this moment, when the flame was passed on to the next runner, I managed to get a good shot - but otherwise I found it hard to keep up. Though it was great fun trying!
The official ceremony with the Chinese delegated took place later in the evening at Qurum Park. Great performances!
But what I will never forget is being surrounded by some 2,000 school girls all standing on their chairs, waving flags, dancing and shouting at the top of their voices. I've never seen anything like it during my 20 months here in this country. Is this Oman??! The 2,000 or so school boys at the other side of the stadium mainly sat with their mouths open. I don't know if it was the excellent dance performance on stage or the dance performance of the school girls that stunned them.
Click here for the official Olympics website photo gallery from Muscat.
Comments (6)
That is soooo cool! So is the female Omani soldier. Nice to see progress. Does Oman behead like some of the other muslim countries do?
WOW!!!!! That Omani female soldier is so beautiful. Here we say it is impossible to resist a man (woman) in uniform. I would imagine she gets lots of offers!!!
I am going to come back and look at this again. Thanks for making my day!!!
@Sojourner_here - Yes, she looks stunning. Many Omanis are incredibly good looking!
The Chinese are really making a huge effort. it is a pity that politics got mixed with the games. The girl should be there but not as a soldier.
She is a policewoman not a soldier !!
She is a member of ROP Special Task Force!! You can tell from the uniform !!
@salah - Thanks for explaining that, Salah.