Shamik Das


Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Olympic chiefs call in record-breaking duo in attempt to wrong-foot protesters

The long and short of it: Bao Xishun and He Pingping discuss their strategy to give pro-Tibet protesters the slip

FIENDISH Chinese Olympic chiefs have come up with a cunning plan to prevent the Olympic torch being stolen when the torch relay comes to London this Sunday.

Their secret weapon is the world record double act of Bao Xishun and He Pingping, the world's tallest and shortest individuals, proud Chinamen who hail from Inner Mongolia, Genghis Khan's old stomping ground.

The idea is for the two Mongols to run the most dangerous legs of the relay, which have been identified by police as likely flashpoints, with Bao carrying the torch through Chinatown and He scampering along Whitehall.

Chariots of ire: The route of the Olympic torch when it comes to London this weekend

At 7' 9", it is unlikely any of the pro-Tibet protesters will get anywhere near the torch as Bao holds it above his head, while 2' 4" He will be able to run through people's legs to safety if the agitators close in.

Cricket star Kevin Pietersen, five-time gold medal winning rower
Sir Steve Redgrave, tennis flop Tim Henman, double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes and Prime Minister Gordon Brown are amongst Bao and He's fellow torch-bearers and are expected to run the less contentious legs.

On this day: Sunday, April 1st, 2007

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