San Francisco: The city of Golden Gate welcomed the Olympic flame — ensconced in a handsome brass lantern and accompanied by several backup flames – with a great fervor. The Olympic torch arrived at the San Francisco airport from Paris in the wee hours Tuesday morning.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Olympic torch, which has had a highly tense international tour, is scheduled to take part in a two-and-a-half-hour relay along this city’s waterfront, involving six miles of pavement, 79 runners and untold scores of law enforcement officials. The official theme of the 21-country torch relay is "The Journey of Harmony."

In the wake of the potential protests by those upset with China’s human rights record and recent crackdown in Tibet, the route has been highly précised by authorities. “I can only confirm that the route is dynamic,” said Nathan Ballard, a city spokesman.

According to reports, Mayor Gavin Newsom has met with police and relay officials amid concerns that disruptions in London and Paris this week not be repeated here. The San Francisco Police Department has been put on high alert. Federal agencies and officers from nearby cities have been called to help patrol the relay route. No-fly zone has been established overhead, the Coast Guard has beefed up its fleet and Bay Area police has planned on a pair of motorized water scooters patrolling the waterways.

Mr. Ballard said, “We got monks tomorrow, Desmond Tutu and Richard Gere here today, and a nude torch relay in the works. I’ll tell you one thing: it won’t be boring.”

Richard Gere, Hollywood's most outspoken Buddhist on Tuesday night condemned China, but called on Tibetan protesters to stay “NONVIOLENT”. Addressing the hundreds attending a candlelight vigil in downtown San Francisco, Gere said, "This torch is going through China and the world co-opting the idea of harmony to push a political position.”

Calling on protesters to not disrupt Wednesday's six-mile relay along San Francisco Bay, 58-years-old star, Gere read what he described as a message from the Dalai Lama reminding demonstrators of the exiled Tibetan leader's stated support for the games and his long-standing philosophy of nonviolence. Gere read, "It is the legitimate right of every Tibetan to struggle for their freedoms and rights, but on the other hand, it would be futile and not helpful to anyone if we do something that would create hatred in the minds of the Chinese people."