CITY READIES FOR OLYMPIC TORCH

With less than a week remaining before the Olympic flame arrives in Cape Girardeau, the city seems ready. But the 40 runners aren't.

Most of the Olympic torch-runners in Southeast Missouri aren't certain about their spot in the relay route. Some don't even have an official uniform yet.

"We're just waiting for information on where the runners are running," said Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the Area Wide United Way, which is coordinating the event locally.

If it hasn't already come, the information should arrive today.

About 20 community volunteers met Tuesday to finalize plans for activities in downtown Cape Girardeau and along the torch route through Jackson. The group has been meeting since fall.

"Everything is on go," said Mary Miller, director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Olympic flame will arrive at 1:06 p.m. Monday at Themis Street. Earlier reports had estimated an arrival of about 30 minutes later.

Regardless of the estimated arrival time, many family activities are planned downtown.

About 10,000 people are expected to attend the community celebrations.

The day begins around 11 a.m. with games, craft exhibits, storytelling and antique car displays. All events will be held near Common Pleas Courthouse Park.

Once the flame arrives via Union Pacific rail car, city and Olympic officials will gather for a short ceremony. Former Missouri Olympian Ginny Fuldner will be master of ceremonies. The theme is "Honoring Community Heroes: Past, Present and Future."

The ceremony will be broadcast via "Big Mo," a large screen television.

"It's not like you have to be downtown or you'll miss it all," Jernigan said, explaining that people could sit along the hill at the courthouse and see the screen.

The committee hopes to line the entire 12-mile route of the Olympic torch.

"The route is designed on purpose to zigzag so the majority of people can see it," Miller said.

The 15,000-mile route cuts through all but six states and comes within a two-hour driving radius of 90 percent of the population. The torch began its journey April 27 in Los Angeles.

The Centennial Olympic Games begin July 19 in Atlanta.

For more information about lining the torch route, call Darlene Bonney at 243- 2072 or the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 335-1631.

OLYMPIC TORCH ACTIVITIES

Monday, May 27

Common Pleas Courthouse Park

-- 11 a.m. -- Families are encouraged to picnic at the park. Some food Will be sold.

-- 11:30 a.m. -- Sweet Adelines performance.

-- Noon -- Teen Challenge Choir performance.

-- 12:30 p.m. -- Freedom Celebration Choir performance.

-- 1:06 p.m. -- 1996 Olympic Torch arrives at Themis and Broadway via Union Pacific rail car.

-- 1:23 p.m. -- Torch begins its run through Cape Girardeau.

-- 2:29 p.m. -- Torch arrives in Jackson.

-- 3:43 p.m. -- Torch arrives in Fruitland.

-- 4:18 p.m. -- Torch arrives in Old Appleton.

-- 4:23 p.m. -- Torch arrives in Uniontown.

-- 4:38 p.m. -- Torch arrives in Longtown.

-- 4:54 p.m. -- Torch arrives in Perryville.

All times are estimates from the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.