Like some Southern American TV evangelist, the next torchbearer arrived and the crowd duly praised him. The build up had been gradual, but the tension was palpable. A police cavalcade preceded the runner and even the police themselves had got into the spirit by shouting greetings and waving to the vast crowd in a manner reminiscent of royalty. Police motorcyclists, lights flashing, held out their hands for the crowds to touch. I asked someone what it all meant, they replied it was "just a bit of fun". Someone else shouted "God Bless You, God Bless You All!". Somehow, "just a bit of fun" seemed wholly inadequate.