Flame glitch fails to douse Thorpe's torch thrill

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

CANBERRA (AFP) — Five-time gold medalist Ian Thorpe's enthusiasm for the Olympic torch remained undimmed Thursday, even after his attempt to ignite a cauldron with the Olympic flame failed due to a technical glitch.

The torch's sole appearance in Australia was meant to culminate in the former swimming star using a flaming baton to light the cauldron before a cheering crowd in Canberra.

But seconds after Thorpe lit the cauldron, one of the Chinese "flame attendants" approached him and turned off his torch. However, the cauldron's flame then went out, leaving the bemused swimmer standing on stage with the extinguished torch resting on his shoulder next to an unlit cauldron.

The star then addressed the crowd as "flame attendants" rushed to rekindle the cauldron...