Olympic torch hit by protests during Paris leg

(CNN) -- The last part of the Olympic torch relay in Paris was canceled Monday after a day of chaos in which anti-China protesters forced authorities to extinguish the flame at least five times, take to a bus and skip some scheduled stops, including city hall.

There were confrontations between the authorities and demonstrators throughout the day as the relay attempted to crisscross Paris, birthplace of the modern Olympic movement, passing landmarks including l'Arc d'Triomphe, the Place de la Concord, The Louvre and Notre Dame.

The torch was eventually driven by bus to its ending destination, where it was displayed again during a public ceremony at a stadium.

Numerous protesters, some armed with fire extinguishers, were taken away by police, The Associated Press reported. At other times police used tear gas to remove demonstrators who lay in the road and tried to block the route.

The chaos came one day after human rights activist demonstrators made the torch's journey through London more like running the gauntlet than a journey of celebration, as UK police made more than two dozen arrests. What do you think of protests at the Olympic torch relay?

The chaos began almost immediately as French 400-meter athlete Stephane Diagana, the first torch bearer, left the Eiffel Tower at around 1030 GMT (0630 ET) -- only for Sylvain Garel, a Green Party activist, to try to grab the torch, agencies reported.

The torch was being carried by a wheelchair athlete when it was halted and extinguished for a second time due to demonstrators shouting, according to AP.

The procession was interrupted for a third time when police spotted a crowd of demonstrators waiting for the torch on a bridge as they approached, the agency added.

Protesters close to the River Seine twice forced authorities to put the torch out and take to a bus so they could continue the relay.

But the Olympic flame itself, lit from the birthplace of the ancient games in Olympia, Greece and used to light the torch, continued to burn in a small lantern in the bus.

Olympic torch hit by protests during Paris leg - CNN.com

Dammit people,please do not politicize this event..

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"Destiny must be shaped and not left to mere chance."..Spencer Collins

Olympic Torch Protesters Scale Golden Gate Bridge


Update to a related story

SAN FRANCISCO -- Three protesters climbed suspension cables of the Golden Gate Bridge on Monday as part of an advance protest to this week's Olympic torch relay here and unfurled two large banners that said "One World One Dream. Free Tibet" and "Free Tibet."

The protesters wore helmets and harnesses as they made their way up the cables running next to the south tower of the famed span. The climb had the group suspended several dozen feet above traffic.

The activists tied a Tibetan flag to one of the cables and attached the two large banners between the cables.

The torch is due to arrive Wednesday in San Francisco, its only North American stop.

Olympic Torch Protesters Scale Golden Gate Bridge - News Story - KTVU San Francisco

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"Destiny must be shaped and not left to mere chance."..Spencer Collins

The Olympic Committee politicized this event the second they gave China the games...

They should've known better, but they wanted to be so damn inclusive that it's coming back to bite them...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

For every step China makes forward,they seem to take two steps back!China may not be ready for prime time but Bush should attend. It would be a great opportunity to make a "statement"..

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"Destiny must be shaped and not left to mere chance."..Spencer Collins

Yeah, I was just watching the clip on the news while we grabbed lunch. The authorities are climbing up there to get em as we speak.

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Maybe we should blow up Paris

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http://www.marchforbabies.com/chuck725 ... helping babies born prematurely and with birth defects

And "Because of the protests" would be the 40th reason...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

All a good reason why they should keep politics out of it. What does any of this have to do with young people exhibiting their skills. They have trained for years for this. And I'll bet there isn't an athlete involved in any of this crap.

Bush may skip opening ceremonies of Olympics

Update

WASHINGTON (CNN) — For the first time, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino Tuesday left the door open to President Bush skipping the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing to protest China's crackdown in Tibet and human rights record.

Asked by CNN at an on-camera briefing if Bush will specifically attend the opening ceremonies in Beijing, Perino would not be definitive. "We haven't provided any schedules on the president's trip," she said.

Pressed on whether Bush's decision to attend the Olympics is "irreversible" or could be affected by developments, Perino hedged. "Any time the president — the president can always make a change," she said. "But the President has been clear that this is a sporting event for the athletes and that pressuring China before, during and after the Olympics is the best way for us to try to help people across the board in China, not just Tibetans."

What the president has not been clear on is whether or not he will attend the opening ceremonies, which are typically a major showcase for the host country. Bush has only said he will attend the Olympics in general, stressing he's a sports fan who wants to support U.S. athletes at the games.

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time - Blogs from CNN.com

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"Destiny must be shaped and not left to mere chance."..Spencer Collins

I think China should boycott the Olympics, since they're games of humanity standing united, which they show they want no part of...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd