San Francisco was chosen as the only city in the US to hold the Chinese Olympic Torch Relay. The relay did not come off as planned. City officials changed the route and then canceled the closing ceremony fearful of widespread non-violent protests. The relay did provide a world stage for the continued debate over China's occupation of Tibet. Although very few attendees were able to see the torch many took part in discussions on the history and current state of the Chinese and Tibetan conflict.