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Olympic torch: IOC reviewing future international relays

Torch relay has been disrupted in Greece, Istanbul, London and Paris
IOC braced for more potential trouble during Wednesday’s leg through San Francisco

BEIJING: The IOC will review plans for the remainder of the Beijing Olympic torch relay and consider scrapping the international portion of the event for future Games.

International Olympic Committee officials expressed deep concern on Tuesday about the disruption caused by protests during the relay in Paris and London and braced for more potential trouble during Wednesday’s leg through San Francisco.

IOC President Jacques Rogge said the committee’s executive board would discuss the future of the Beijing relay on Friday.

He did not rule out the option of suspending or scrapping part of the relay, although most Olympic officials were opposed to such a move and Beijing organisers had vowed to go to the end.

No speculation

Asked whether the continuation of the international relay was certain, he said: “I’m not saying whether it is certain or not. There will be a discussion of the executive board on the torch relay but I attach on that absolutely no speculation whatsoever.”

IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said there were no plans for cancelling the rest of the relay, which had been the magnet for protests since the flame embarked on its 85,000-mile journey from Ancient Olympia in Greece.

“As we speak today, the IOC expects the relay to follow its course as planned and there has been no official discussion to the contrary,” Davies said.

Disrupted

The torch relay has been disrupted in Greece, Istanbul, London and Paris by protesters. The chaos has tarnished China’s image and spoiled an event which was supposed to symbolise Olympic values of unity and harmony.

On Monday, Olympic organisers cancelled the final leg of the Paris run after demonstrators scaled the Eiffel Tower, grabbed for the flame and forced security officials to repeatedly snuff out the torch and transport it by bus past demonstrators.

After San Francisco, the torch is scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and then to a dozen other countries. It is scheduled to enter mainland China on May 4 for the host country’s portion of the relay.

IOC vice-presidents Gunilla Lindberg and Thomas Bach suggested the option of halting the relay would need to be discussed — particularly if there are major disturbances in San Francisco.

No to stopping

But the widespread view among Olympic officials and IOC members was that the relay should not be stopped.

IOC executive board member and marketing chief Gerhard Heiberg said he was in touch with the torch relay sponsors — Coca-Cola, Samsung and Lenovo.

Patrick Hickey, an Irish IOC member who heads the European Olympic Committees, said there was widespread consensus that future torch relays should be limited to the national territory of the host country.

Gilbert Felli, the IOC’s executive director for the Olympic Games, confirmed the committee would reassess its policy for future relays. — AP

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