 United States of America: The torch relay's North American leg occurred in San Francisco, California on April 9. On the day of the relay officials diverted the torch run to an unannounced route. The start was at McCovey Cove, where Norman Bellingham of the U.S. Olympic Committee gave the torch to the first torchbearer, Chinese 1992 Olympic champion swimmer Lin Li. The planned closing ceremony at Justin Herman Plaza was cancelled and instead, a ceremony was held at San Francisco International Airport, where the torch was to leave for Buenos Aires. The route changes allowed the run to avoid large numbers of China supporters and protesters against China. As people found out there would be no closing ceremony at Justin Herman Plaza, there were angry reactions. One demonstrator was quoted as saying that the route changes were an effort to "thwart any organized protest that had been planned." San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, a critic of Mayor Gavin Newsom, said that it was a "cynical plan to please the Bush State Department and the Chinese government because of the incredible influence of money." Newsom, on the other hand, said he felt it was in "everyone's best interest" and that he believed people had been "afforded the right to protest and support the torch" despite the route changes. Peter Ueberroth, head of the U.S. Olympic Committee, praised the route changes, saying, "The city of San Francisco, from a global perspective, will be applauded." People who saw the torch were surprised and cheered as shown from live video of CBS and NBC. The cost to the city for hosting the event was reported to be USD $726,400, nearly half of which has been recovered by private fundraising. Mayor Gavin Newsom said that "exponential" costs associated with mass arrests were avoided by his decision to change the route in consultation with police chief Heather Fong. COUNT 9
QSN1 Where did the torch start it's North American route? ANS1 San Francisco QSN2 What day did the torch arrive in San Francisco? ANS2 April 9 QSN3 What is the name of the first North American torchbearer? ANS3 Lin Li QSN4 The route end was changed from Justin Herman plaza to what? ANS4 San Francisco International Airport QSN5 Who was the head of the U.S. Olympic Committee? ANS5 Peter Ueberroth QSN6 What city in the United States held the 2008 Olympic Torch relay? ANS6 San Francisco QSN7 What was the date of the relay in the United States? ANS7 April 9. QSN8 What is the name of the person who handed off the torch to the torchbearer in the United States 2008 Olympic relay? ANS8 Norman Bellingham QSN9 What is the name of the location where the relay ending event was canceled? ANS9 Justin Herman Plaza