The torch relay has had another dramatic impact apart from uniting the host country in national and Olympic celebration. It has muted the protests which were expected to accompany the Games, though a visitor to the Sydney suburb of Newtown in Thursday might have thought the city had risen in rebellion. A man dressed in a gorilla mask had a swastika on his chest and gave the Nazi salute, apparently as a commentary against alleged police fascism. Much of it was a carry-over protest against the violence and protests which attended the World Economic Forum in Melbourne, but all of it had an Olympic component. Aboriginal leaders were also crestfallen after only 200 or so protesters turned out on Friday for what was intended as the centre-piece of their efforts to draw international attention to their grievances.
Organisers can thank the torch relay's unifying powers for keeping protests on the margin.