SHANTOU: Since the Olympic torch set out on its global relay in March, the weather has been a major concern for its host cities and spectators across the world.

Yet, by Saturday night, when the torch completed its leg in Guangdong, the first provincial one I followed as a journalist, bad weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of all touched by the sacred flame.

Throughout the four days in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Huizhou and Shantou, this much was clear: Be it cloudy or rainy, spirits were kept high as the torch burned bright.

In fact, the four cities had all expected rain for their legs of the relay but it turned out that wet weather hit only Shantou.

I had heard those in Guangzhou claim that the cloudy conditions seemed "pretty caring", while people in Shenzhen and Huizhou said their sunny weather was "prefectly nice" despite the high temperatures.

While those in the previous three cities were delighted by the absence of rain, people in Shantou were actually happy because the rain made their torch relay special.

On early Saturday morning, the downpour in the city did not stop crowds from going on the streets to cheer for the long-awaited Olympic flame.

Fortunately, soon after the torch was lit, the heavy rain gradually turned into a drizzle. By about 9:30 am, the rain stopped almost completely and the skies remained overcast till the end of the relay.

As I stayed in a van picking up torchbearers and escort runners throughout the relay, I had the chance to hear their conversations and comments.

Chen Hanshi, the fourth torchbearer, was one of those who had to wait in the downpour and run in the drizzle.

He was wet through by the time he got on board the van. But the Shantou-born, who is now an overseas Chinese in Thailand, was undeterred.

"At 73, I would have felt miserable after all this. But I am feeling completely okay because here (pointing to his heart), it is hot."

Five minutes later, Chen Jie, one of the first two escort runners, also got on board.

"This is the most romantic experience I've ever had in my life - running along the torch in the rain!" the student from a local vocational school was heard saying.

By the time the rain stopped and the temperature became pleasant, it was no surprise to hear many compliments on the conditions.

A typical one ran: "I guess we are among the most luckiest to have such a pleasant temperature today. The 'lucky cloud' Olympic design does bring us luck."