or1980v2pt1

in the festive greeting ceremony.
More than 10,000 people gathered
on the legendary Shipka in spite of the
unexpectedly cold weather (down to
0°C) and the squally wind. In the falling
twilight they saw the horsemen placing
the flame at the summit of the monument
to the Russian general Stoletov.
The demonstration was concluded with
a brilliant firework display at around
midnight.
A colourful ritual to welcome the
flame took place at Sofia. Seventy
thousand people packed the stands of
the Vasil Levsky Stadium. They heard
speeches pointing out the significance
of the ceremonial transfer of the Olym-
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pic flame to the place picked for the
Games.
It is worth noting that wherever the
relay came to a halt in Bulgaria
memorials and plaques appeared. In
Chirpan, Pazardjik, Stara-Zagora and
other towns many streets were named
in honour of the 1980 Olympics.
The festive atmosphere ruled in
Bulgaria for six days. The flame was
carried by 935 Bulgarian sportsmen
and they were assisted by an escort of
more than 1,500 people. More than 2
million people met the Olympic flame in
hospitable Bulgaria.
The Vice-President of the Bulgarian
NOC A. Solakov said:
The Olympic torch relay crosses
Bulgaria