Torch excitement ‘like a benign virus’

London mayor Boris Johnson has said all expectations of the success of the Olympic Torch Relay had been surpassed, as excitement about the Games passed from person to person like a “benign sort of virus”.

He said public enthusiasm was a huge opportunity for London. “It is our chance to show the world what we are all about, our chance to throw a great party,” he said. “There are very, very important economic reasons for trying to get the best out of the Games.”