More strife for Olympic torch in Paris
Monday, 7 April 2008The Olympic torch met more trouble in Paris today with reports officials had been forced to extinguish the flame to escape from anti-China protesters.
The torch - beset by demonstrations in London on Sunday - was being escorted by a heavy police presence in the French capital, including some officers on roller blades, on the route from the Eiffel Tower to the Charlety Stadium.
It was stopped on a road next to the Seine by demonstrators carrying Tibetan flags. Officials took it on board a bus where it had to be extinguished.
The torch carrier later disembarked and the flame was relit only to be extinguished again when more protesters arrived.
The trouble came despite the deployment of over 3,000 police officers along the 28km route. At least four arrests have been made.
Stephane Diagana was the first person to carry the torch, the 1997 400 metre world champion leading off the procession from the Eiffel Tower at 12.35pm local time.
Diagana admitted he gave careful consideration to taking part.
'I have thought about it for a long time and I do not agree with a boycott of the Games. That will serve nothing,' he said.
Diagana is one of 80 people due to carry the torch. Others include Paris St Germain striker Pedro Pauleta, French rugby union players Christophe Dominici and Pieter De Villiers, tennis players Mary Pierce and Fabrice Santoro and France basketball star Antoine Rigaudeau.
The torch was headed for the Paris town hall where the city's mayor had planned a banner supporting human rights.
