Olympic flame lands in China
Protests unlikely as relay reaches the mainland to start its journey across China.
| Troubled Torch |
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March 24 – Human rights protesters breach security to try to disrupt the torch-lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece
March 30 – Tibet activists try to stop flame entering Athens stadium for handover to Chinese officials
April 6 – Thousands of pro-Tibet protesters line relay route through London, scuffles break out with police and 35 are arrested
April 7 – Flame extinguished at least twice during Paris relay, forcing the torch-carrier onto a bus to escape protesters
April 9 – San Francisco abruptly changes torch route fearing clashes between pro-Tibet protesters and pro-China counter-protesters
April 17 – New Delhi deploys 15,000 police and security guards during radically shortened relay through Indian capital. Dozens of Tibetan exiles arrested
April 19 – 2,000 police protect Bangkok relay as crowd of about 200 China supporters taunt scores of pro-Tibet demonstrators |
Media access to the torch’s arrival was limited to three Chinese outlets.
“Even if no police were here, we would protect the torch with our bodies!” an 18-year-old vendor selling Chinese flags near the stage where the torch was to be lit Sunday morning said.
Basketball star Yi Jianlian and actor Jackie Chan were to be among the 208 people carrying the torch.
Columns of paramilitary police in sportswear jogged beside the torch bearers.