Apr 08 2008
Olympic Torch extinguished twice in Paris!
Due to violent protest over China’s crackdown on Tibet, French officials were forced on Monday to put off Olympic Torch temporarily during the relay through Paris.
Sources said that officials placed the torch in a bus to protect from demonstrators after setting off from the Eiffel Tower. But soon the torch was re-litand relay is resumed after the incident.
However police has already put tight security to protect the torch from the demonstrators. France has deployed more than 3,000 police officers, some on roller blades, along the 28-km Paris leg of relay, to the Charlety stadium, on the southern edge of town; where the torch was due to arrive at 1500 GMT.
The Olympics torch is scheduled to reach the host country Beijing for the 2008 Olympics in August. Although is not meant to be extinguished before reaching the target but all in vain. A traditional lantern that follows the torch, and must not be extinguished at any cost, was spared similar fate.
Several hundred demonstrators waving banners gathered on the Trocadero esplanade, just the other side of the river Seine from the Eiffel Tower. Banners reading “Boycott Chinese goods” and “Save Tibet” were held by the demonstrators.
The Olympic flame arrived at the Charles de Gaulle Airport on Monday, ahead of a high-security tour through the French capital.
The flame was welcomed by China`s Ambassador to France, Mr Kong Quan, and former athlete Guy Drut. But French President Nicholas Sarkozy stayed away from the welcoming ceremony of the torch to register his protest.
