After covering a big Pro-Tibet rally all day Tuesday (and getting a rare sit-down interview with Hollywood’s most famous Buddhist, Richard Gere) we were rather surprised yesterday morning to see the all well-organized Chinese and Chinese Americans who turned out in much larger numbers to welcome the Olympic Torch, and celebrate China’s emergence as an economic and political power.

For all the talk about protesters, the Pro-China groups had remained fairly silent — until yesterday, when they gathered at Justin Herman Plaza with banners and bullhorns and prepared performances. Some were there as part of the city-sponsored closing ceremonies for the Eternal Flame.. but here’s how it ended: They threw a party … and the guest of honor didn’t show up. It was confusing when officials changed the relay route at the last minute … and unnerving to stand in the middle of the crowd, not very happy to hear me report that the whole event been moved several miles away.

Many were angry, many were heartbroken, and with good reason. But for some lucky city slickers who happened to be walking along San Francisco’s Marina Green … they saw an historic sight, free from protests and politics: A torch, held high by Americans… runners chosen for excellent reasons… celebrating the Olympic spirit.

(PHOTO: AP, 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch, over San Francisco torch relay rally)