OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY IN DOUBT
The Olympic torch relay may be scrapped in future, following further protests in Paris by anti-China protesters.
Following several attacks on the torch in London on Sunday, the Olympic flame had to be extinguished on no less than five occasions yesterday in Paris, pro-Tibet and human rights protestors forced the cancellation of the final leg of the relay to the Stade Charlety in Southern Paris.
The torch relay, tradition since 1936, has been taken on an 'around the world' tour for the previous two games, although it seems increasingly likely that the IOC will abandon that strategy for future games, although the current torch relay will continue on its 85,100 mile journey as planned.
The alternative options that the IOC are likely to consider are a switch back to the more traditional relay, which sees the flame taken from Olympia in Athens directly to the host city, or a scrapping of the relay altogether.
Demonstrators have attacked the torch in protest at China's current involvement in Tibet as well as their human rights policy.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has admitted that he "anticipates problems" when the city welcomes the flame tomorrow after pro-Tibet demonstrators scaled the suspension cables of the Golden Gate Bridge and unfurled anti-Chinese banners.
IOC press commission chief Kevan Gospar admitted that whilst the current plans remain, but the IOC is reviewing plans for future relays.
"My belief is the torch relay will stay on course.
"There might be adjustments, but I think it would be wrong to try to do anything more than try to get the torch through to its ultimate destination.
"But certainly, the IOC executive board should review the torch relay programme for the future."
Patrick Hickey, head of the 49-member association of European Olympic Committees said: "We have to review if the torch should be allowed to go overseas again.
"It's something we shall discuss later."
Swedish IOC member Gunilla Lindberg said the protests were "damaging the Olympic movement".
"I think it is very sad, I get angry.
"Using the torch this way is almost a crime. This is the property of the IOC, it is not a Chinese torch."
Related links:
