Olympic Games 2008: Protests at the Australian Torch Relay

Picture: Olympics 2008

There have been clashes and protests between pro-Tibet demonstrators and supporters of the Chinese regime during the Canberra leg of the Australian Olympic torch relay today. Activists from both sides confronted each other in a park on the route. A group of Tibet sympathisers burnt the Chinese flag, leading to confrontations and even though the police took immediate action, it was only after considerable effort that they were able to separate the two sides. The relay continued on peacefully, as far as was possible, as it had in New Delhi, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

The police separated the 80 runners from their surrounding area and barriers were erected around the course, which was shortened to 4km, in order to stop protesters blocking the relay route. Despite this, one man managed to get past the barriers and throw himself on the floor in front of the oncoming runners. The security team dressed in t-shirts, shorts and caps took some of the protesters into custody.

Altogether some 10,000 people watched the event. Many Chinese could be seen at the edges waving their red flags to spur the runners on. Over 70,000 Chinese students live in Australia and thousands had responded to the call to come to Canberra, which had been posted on the internet. The torch was carried on the last leg by ex swimming champion, Ian Thorpe – who with 5 Olympic gold medals and numerous world records is Australia’s most successful athlete to date.

Although the Australian government had announced that none of the Chinese “torch guards” would be permitted to take part, there were 3 present at the relay. The security personnel dressed in blue and white were originally meant to be shut inside busses, but China has strongly protested against this.

The Japanese news agency Jiji-Press reported that special security measures would be in place for the torch relay in Nagano next Saturday. The general public will also not be permitted to attend the starting and closing ceremonies there. More than 100 security staff will surround the athletes as they pass through the centre of the Honshū island. Spectators will hardly get a glimpse of the Olympic flame.