Even as pro-Tibet protests gain momentum in Delhi, a special Air China plane carrying the Olympic flame touched down at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 1 am on Thursday. The flame, travelling from Islamabad to New Delhi, was handed over to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Chief Suresh Kalmadi by China Olympic Committee officials, amidst the presence of a huge delegation of IOA officials and security personnel.

The 2.5-km stretch between Rashtrapati Bhawan and India Gate in Delhi has been turned into a fortress ahead of the Olympic torch relay on Thursday. Guarded by thousands of policemen and paramilitary personnel, as many as 70 sportspersons and celebrities will carry the torch on the short route. More than 40 Tibetan demonstrators were detained in two separate places in Delhi early on Thursday. The Olympic run has been dogged by protests in Paris, London and San Francisco.

The Olympic relay will begin at around 1530 hrs IST and the event is expected to be over within an hour. The ceremony is out of bounds for everyone except chosen athletes, dignitaries, schoolchildren and the media. The torch would be kept at an “undisclosed” safe house until the relay begins in the afternoon. No visitors will be allowed to enter government buildings overlooking Rajpath after 1300 hrs IST. Visitors cannot leave the buildings after 1300 hrs IST until the relay gets over. Only government employees with identity cards will be allowed to access these buildings or leave these buildings. Only from military, police and security personnel will be allowed access to rooftops and balconies near Rajpath.

Guys !!! Do you think this relay lost its Olympic spirit as it is being organized under extreme scrutiny and security? Please use the comments section.