UK NEWS

OLYMPIC TORCH EXTINGUISHED AS PROTESTS SPREAD TO PARIS

The Olympic torch was extinguished in Paris

Monday April 7,2008

By Nicola McCafferty for express.co.uk

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OLYMPIC officials were forced to extinguish the torch today after hundreds of anti-China protesters rallied against the torch relay ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

The Olympic torch - which was beset by demonstrations in London yesterday - was put out as a security measure after protesters gathered near the Eiffel Tower today.

The torch was escorted by heavy security in the French capital, including some officers on roller blades, on route from the Eiffel Tower to the Charlety Stadium.

*** VIDEO: WATCH OLYMPIC PROTESTERS RIOTING IN LONDON ***

Yet in extraordinary scenes, officials stopped the torch on a road next to the Seine where it was taken aboard a bus and extinguished after a surge of demonstrators carrying Tibetan flags posed a serious threat to safety.

The propane-fuelled flame is an important symbol of the prolific games and is traditionally kept alight until the closing ceremony of the games.

Yesterday two protesters were arrested in London for trying to put out the flame with a fire extinguisher.

The torch relay was today due to travel down the 28 kilometre course from the Eiffel Tower to the Charlety Stadium and take in many of Paris’s landmarks including the Trocadero, the Champs Elysees and the Assemblee Nationale.

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 12.35 local time.

According to reports, a member of the French Green Party was restrained after trying to snatch the torch from Diagana.

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MY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH 'THE TORCH'...

08.04.08, 12:48pm

Finding myself in Paris last night, I decided to masquerade as Lord Seb of Coe-Gravytrain and snatch a quick interview (on behalf of D/E readers) with leading personality & celebrity, The Torch, at his Presidential Suite in the Paris Hilton.

me: How was London?Any thoughts?
T: Pretty dreadful. I arrived 5 star - as usual - but at Terminal 5. The flight was on time, but my luggage is, apparantly, now in South Africa.
me: How about the relay? When I saw the first images, I thought Bush or the Pope was in town - all those outrunners, inrunners, Chinese Secret Police...
T: Haha! Yeah, next time I'm using the US Secret Service - they look a lot tidier than all those clashing colours. Still, my close-escort of Chinese Security was pretty neat. They have Diplomatic Immunity y'know? As I do.
me: You have Diplomatic immunity?
T: Of course, i'm an internationally recognisable character. It won't be long now before I have a seat on the UN Security Council.
me: Why? How come?
T: I've been getting a lot of bad press about my carbon footprint. I used to run on North Sea Gas, but it's too expensive now, so i'm switching to Nuclear Power. Much greener, lower carbon footprint, and as a nuclear power in my own right, I get a seat at the top table.
me: Hmmm...what was it like meeting Gordon Broon?
T: Which one was he then?
me: Never mind, how is the acting career going?
T: Well, works' been thin since Hammer Films went bust - i had a lot of roles with them: First Torch in 'Frankenstein Must Die', a lot of Vampire movies, plus that great cameo in 'Mississippi Burning'....
me: Any predictions on how London's Olympics will go down?
T: Overbudget, late, for London, by London, the usual.
me: And the Chinese Olympics?
T: I'm sensing a re-run of the Berlin Games...pre war style...
me: And Paris - how was that?
T: Sacre Bleu! I had to use Public Transport - again! I was extinguished three times and I never got held by the divine Madame Sarkozy...shame. Still, it was good to see both countries have an abundance of spare Coppers to provide protection for me...do you always have that many on patrol in London? Must be nigh on impossible for Muslim head hunters to demonstrate there eh?
me: I think we've got to wind this up, judging by the sound of cash registers, the real Coe is here. One last question - any plans to tour Zimbabwe?
T: Are you kidding? One police state run by an out of touch, corrupt, sleaze ridden, lying, traitorous government, led by an unelected blinkered Premier hell bent on destroying the nation is enough for one week.....
me: Thank you.

• Posted by: Gofan • Report Comment

OLYMPIC TORCH EXTINGUISHED

08.04.08, 11:57am

when britain went to war with the usa against saddams evil abuse against his people it was said that they would instal freedom and democracy,why cant the tibbetans have some of this freedom and democracy ,or does this only apply to countries with oil and are easily defeated.

• Posted by: crazyhorse • Report Comment

WELL DONE YOU FROGS YOU DID WHAT THE BRITISH FAILED TO DO

07.04.08, 11:18pm

I hate the French although I drive one of their cars but I could rethink becoming common partners if it would give the British the guts and balls the French have, at least they got over the point on China as they put the flame out, Well Done!

• Posted by: CAN • Report Comment

RESPONTINI,

07.04.08, 9:17pm

I totally agree. Whatever happened to Democracy, free speach and the right to protest in this country? Anyone would think the protesters were trying to kill the torch bearer rather than put out a flame! The police action was totally disproportionate. Talk about a Police state!
You are quite right, if that had been Muslim protesters it would have been a totally different picture.
There is something quite sinister going on in this country,from the top down.

• Posted by: Jac16 • Report Comment

YESTERDAY

07.04.08, 6:24pm

"Yesterday two protesters were arrested in London for trying to put out the flame with a fire extinguisher." should read "Yesterday two protesters were brutally beaten by police officers in London for trying to put out the flame with a fire extinguisher."

I mean... did any of you SEE the footage. They weren't arresting them they were simply giving them a kicking.

• Posted by: NathanHobbs • Report Comment

WHERE DID THEY FIND SO MANY POLICE

07.04.08, 6:20pm

Isn't it amazing that so many police can be found when the government so wishes, but god help those of the general public who need their help most of the time. What really makes me angry seeing the procession of the torch yesterday, was how the police were straight in there rugby tackling any one who approached the torch, but when we have hate preachers and their supporters on our streets, calling for our destruction and murder, the police never lay a finger on them and have even stood guard over them. Even when they are marching with placards calling for all non believers to be killed, in this our country, the police will not step in to arrest anyone of them. The excuse given is that they are watching and noting things but did not stop these demonstrations at the time because it could have caused rioting. I for one know where I would prefer to see such police action, as shown at yesterdays protest but know it will never happen because this government bends over backwards to appease a certain section of those who live here.

• Posted by: respontini • Report Comment