The London Olympics torch passed through  Redhill and Reigate (London) on July 20. Nearly 40,000 people gathered as the torch relay went on. Suddenly a man had thrust from the crowd and tried to grab the Olympic Torch. He said “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) when he tried to grab it. The BBC was live telecasting Olympic torch rally and this incident too was being aired live on Friday.

The 17-year-old tried his best to grab the torch from the hands of Anna Skora (who held the torch). The police, who were present over there, swiftly evaded him and brought the situation under the control. The videos were posted on You Tube. In one of the videos, we can see the person standing behind a car and waiting for the torch.

While police tried to evade this man who suddenly lunged from the public, one of the officials held Anna Skora and torch firmly so that this man doesn't take hold of the torch. The youth was arrested and shifted to Kent police station. The police said this person belonged to Gravesend. They, however, didn't ascertain the reason as to why the person tried to grab the torch.

Anyway, it's good that police acted swiftly and arrested him. Otherwise, the prestigious Olympic torch rally would have entered news for wrong reasons.

(AW Phani)