Gay Bay Torch Run Starts at 1pm

They're gearing up for the biggest Gay Bay battle since Juan Marichal of the Giants took a bat to Johnny Roseboro of the Dodgers at old Candlestick Park:

Thousands of people have gathered at McCovey Cove and along the Embarcadero this morning in anticipation of today's Olympic torch run through the streets of San Francisco.

Torch runs in London and Paris earlier this week were disrupted by anti-Chinese protesters, and today's run is expected to draw thousands of demonstrators seeking to focus attention on Beijing's human rights record. But most of those gathered this morning at McCovey Cove, where the torch ceremonies will start at 1 p.m., and Justin Herman Plaza, where the run is scheduled to end sometime after 3 p.m., appeared to be supporters of the Chinese government.

Many of those who have turned out early were waving Chinese, U.S. or Olympic flags. One person at McCovey Cove was holding a sign that read, "Tibet is better than it used to be."

The city has been under close scrutiny by civil rights groups for its handling of protest permits, and already this morning there was a minor clash between supporters of the Chinese government and protesters.

I'll have more later.

UPDATE: As expected, things were not all peace and posies in the Gay Bay:

SAN FRANCISCO (April 9) - The Olympic torch played hide and seek with thousands of demonstrators and spectators crowding the city's waterfront Wednesday before being spirited away without even a formal goodbye on its symbolic journey to the Beijing Games.

After its parade rout was rerouted and shortened to prevent disruptions by massive crowds of protesters, the planned closing ceremony at the San Francisco Bay waterfront was canceled and moved to San Francisco International Airport. The flame was put directly on a plane and was not displayed.

The last-minute changes to the route and site of the closing ceremony were made amid security concerns following chaotic protests over the torch in Paris and London, but officials effectively prevented many spectators who wanted to see the flame from witnessing the historic moment.

The flame traveled in switchbacks and left the crowds confused and waiting for a parade that never arrived. Protesters also hurriedly changed plans and chased the rerouted flame.

Mayor Gavin Newsom told The Associated Press that the well-choreographed switch of the site of the closing ceremony was prompted by the size and behavior of the crowds amassing outside AT&T Park.

There was "a disproportionate concentration of people in and around the start of the relay," he said in a phone interview while traveling in a caravan that accompanied the torch.

I'm also hearing that President Bush has announced that he will attend the opening ceremonies. Good move. He must have read my post.