Hippie Staff
04-07-2008, 08:46 AM
Paris Olympic Torch Relay Is Cut Short
Updated:17:10, Monday April 07, 2008
<H2>The Olympic torch relay in Paris has been cut short after chaotic protests by anti-China demonstrators.
The flame had already been extinguished four times by security forces after repeated clashes with pro-Tibet and human rights campaigners.
The demonstrations also saw the city's mayor cancel a ceremony to mark the torch's passing.
The decision was made after a Tibetan flag was draped over the city hall's facade.
Thousands of police sent on to the streets to protect the torch relay as it made its way around the city were unable to prevent demonstrators hijacking the event.
It meant the torch had to be repeatedly put out amid safety fears.
The event began with several hundred people waving banners gathering on the Trocadero esplanade where the relay started.
Several activists were later arrested, with some handcuffing themselves to the Eiffel Tower.
Sky News Europe correspondent Greg Milam said extinguishing the flame was significant because the torch was supposed to be kept alight on its journey around the world.
It's supposed to symbolise peace between nations," he said.
"It's clearly a massive blow to the organisers - the demonstrations along the route have had the desired effect."
Similarly chaotic scenes were seen when the Olympic flame was carried through London.
International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge has expressed concern at the demonstrations but said there was no momentum for a boycott of the Beijing Games.
Tibet's capital, Lhasa, was hit last month by Buddhist monks' protests against Chinese rule.
The demonstrations, which saw many people killed, sparked widespread media attention across the world.
</H2>
Updated:17:10, Monday April 07, 2008
<H2>The Olympic torch relay in Paris has been cut short after chaotic protests by anti-China demonstrators.
The flame had already been extinguished four times by security forces after repeated clashes with pro-Tibet and human rights campaigners.
The demonstrations also saw the city's mayor cancel a ceremony to mark the torch's passing.
The decision was made after a Tibetan flag was draped over the city hall's facade.
Thousands of police sent on to the streets to protect the torch relay as it made its way around the city were unable to prevent demonstrators hijacking the event.
It meant the torch had to be repeatedly put out amid safety fears.
The event began with several hundred people waving banners gathering on the Trocadero esplanade where the relay started.
Several activists were later arrested, with some handcuffing themselves to the Eiffel Tower.
Sky News Europe correspondent Greg Milam said extinguishing the flame was significant because the torch was supposed to be kept alight on its journey around the world.
It's supposed to symbolise peace between nations," he said.
"It's clearly a massive blow to the organisers - the demonstrations along the route have had the desired effect."
Similarly chaotic scenes were seen when the Olympic flame was carried through London.
International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge has expressed concern at the demonstrations but said there was no momentum for a boycott of the Beijing Games.
Tibet's capital, Lhasa, was hit last month by Buddhist monks' protests against Chinese rule.
The demonstrations, which saw many people killed, sparked widespread media attention across the world.
</H2>