Torch Security Guards take out cyclist

[Nigel-YZ1]

There's a couple of those torches going for £50,000 on eBay.

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

Over the top reaction from the security chap. Could have quite easily diverted him away from the torch-bearer rather than spinning him around like a top.

 

[Cubist]

Let's hope the cyclist was wearing a headcam.... we'll soon learn the real truth from the real angle.

 

[Shaun]

Slightly longer lead-in with a slow-mo at about 28 seconds where the lad appears to speed up and change direction.

Not sure whether he's heading for the torch bearer or sweeping around the security guard - can't really tell from this angle.

 

[MacB]

I'm not certain the security detail over reacted, clearly in hindsight they did but maybe not from a split second perspective. These are people performing a function for which they are trained and paid. Their reality is not conceived by public opinion but by the orders they are given.

I am certain the questioning the sanity of employing a security detail for a farking torch is the right thing to do. I have enough trouble with the idea that 'VIPs' need security levels beyond that afforded to the general public.

 

[Peter Armstrong]

I Agree, looking at it, 360 Degree pile driver looks way over the top, but I you imagine it from the security dude point of view, he has a split second to react to a unkown person flying on a bike in his "Bubble". I can totally understand.

 

[Linford]

The flame in the torch is one of many which are burned continuously on the support vehicles following, and the torches are only lit when they get off the bus to run with it.

 

[asterix]

Slightly longer lead-in with a slow-mo at about 28 seconds where the lad appears to speed up and change direction.

Not sure whether he's heading for the torch bearer or sweeping around the security guard - can't really tell from this angle.

Seems to me that he was simply steering around the guard having too little space to pass the other side. It also looks as if the security guard was actually looking in the 'wrong' direction at first, then caught sight of the cyclist out of the corner of his eye. There's a copper behind who must have seen the cyclist first but apparently did not act until the security guard 'panicked'. It is an unpleasant image anyway.

It is reminiscent of but very different from, this incident:

Protests over China's human rights record began soon after the relay began at Wembley, and prompted an increasing police presence through the city.
One protester tried to snatch the torch from former Blue Peter host Konnie Huq.

A protective ring of 10 Chinese flame attendants and fluorescent-jacketed police officers surrounded the torchbearers at all times, with additional uniformed officers joining at potential flashpoints along the route.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7332942.stm

 

[Alun]

Looks like the troublesome hobbledehoy wasn't wearing a cycle helmet either, he could have been killed or at the very least seriously injured!

 

[redcard]

I wouldn't go as far as to say the guard / cop should be ashamed. He was doing the job he was tasked to do and made a split second decision. It wasn't helped by them both falling over which did make it appear more dramatic.

It's always easy to criticise with the benefit of hindsight when you're not the accountable one.

It's easy to criticise, but it's a lot easier to use the 'just following orders' excuse.

 

[Arch]

As for dragging him in front of a moving car...... It is obvious that this was a rehearsed tactic and no danger whatsoever from the vehicle.

I'm not sure about 'rehearsed'. Looked to me like the cop (those runners are Met police, not security guards) was caught entirely off guard by the effect of grabbing a cyclist round the waist. I suspect he expected the kid to just fall over away from the bubble, when in fact the momentum threw them both in front of a car...

The whole torch thing is stupidly overhyped. It's a different physical torch every few hundred yards, and a flame is a constantly changing effect as the fuel burns. There's no 'relay' about it...

 

[Linford]

I'm not sure about 'rehearsed'. Looked to me like the cop (those runners are Met police, not security guards) was caught entirely off guard by the effect of grabbing a cyclist round the waist. I suspect he expected the kid to just fall over away from the bubble, when in fact the momentum threw them both in front of a car...

The whole torch thing is stupidly overhyped. It's a different physical torch every few hundred yards, and a flame is a constantly changing effect as the fuel burns. There's no 'relay' about it...

They blow it out between relays and relight it when they all get off the bus at the next town/village

 

[Arch]

Exactly. It's just daft.

I wouldn't mind so much if they said "Hey, we're going to run a series of relays through towns and cities, to big up the Olympics, come and enjoy the atmosphere, see worthy people carrying the baton", but all the sacred constant flame stuff is just rubbish.

 

[Alun]

Exactly. It's just daft.

I wouldn't mind so much if they said "Hey, we're going to run a series of relays through towns and cities, to big up the Olympics, come and enjoy the atmosphere, see worthy people carrying the baton", but all the sacred constant flame stuff is just rubbish.

The constant flame is carried in one or more Davy Lamps in the coach, otherwise it is much as you describe. The flame is carried by people specially selected for the contribution they have made to society, AFAIK.

 

[Arch]

Yes, but the whole 'constant flame' is a bit dubious. A flame is the vapour of the fuel, and as such, constantly replenishing itself. I'm assuming those Davy lamps will be being refuelled, so unless they brought a bottle of Greek meths with them, it's all a bit tenuous.

I'm all for worthy people getting recognition (that's what I meant by worthy) , I just think it's been overdone.