Sydney's torch launch delayed
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The organisers of the Sydney Games, which begin in September, yesterday said they would continue with their plans to send the Olympic torch into space.
A replica of the torch which will light the Sydney Olympic cauldron was packed on board the space shuttle Atlantis for a lift-off from the Kennedy Space Centre, in Florida, on Monday. Organisers were hoping the space mission, during which the torch will orbit the earth 15 times a day for a week, would help promote the official Olympic torch relay which starts next month. But their plans were put on hold when the launch was postponedbecause of strong crosswinds at the launch site.
"This is not going to delay the start of the relay," a spokesman for the Sydney Games committee said. "We remain confident that the torch will be in space in time to promote the start of the Sydney 2000 torch relay."
The Olympic flame will belit on 10 May from the sun's rays at the Temple of Hera near the ancient ruins of Olympia, starting a five-month journey which culminates in the lighting of the cauldron at the Sydney Olympic stadium on 15 September.
Meanwhile, the 2004 Olympic Games organising committee yesterday blamed the Greek government for delays in its preparations, but vowed to restore international confidence in Athens within one month.
Greek government officials were meeting with organising committee members following severe criticism of Athens' progress by the International Olympic Committee president, Juan Antonio Samaranch, last week. "I think in about one month the climate will have changed. There will not be this distrust," said the Greek culture minister, Theodoros Pangalos, whose department is in charge of the preparations.
Samaranch warned Athens last week that the Games could be in jeopardy unless drastic and immediate organisational changes were made.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments