Olympic torch relay in London amid first protests (1st Lead)

Apr 6, 2008, 10:41 GMT

London - The London leg of the Beijing Olympics torch relay took place on Sunday, with thousands lining the street and protesters on hand from the outset in the host city of the 2012 Games.

Police reportedly led away three protesters after scuffles broke out when as rowing legend Sir Stephen Redgrave took the torch out of Wembley Stadium.

The 50-kilometres journey to the O2 Arena was due to pass landmarks such as Tower Bridge and Nelson's Column.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown was set to welcome the flame for the August 8-24 Games at Downing Street despite calls for him not to do so in protest of China's crackdown of the unrest in Tibet.

Human rights activists announced they would use the opportunity to protest against China over Tibet and other human rights issues.

The torch arrived late Saturday at Heathrow airport, with Chinese ambassador Fu Ying and British Olympics minister Tessa Jowell on hand to greet it.

Eighty athletes, celebrities and dignitaries were to carry the torch which was also travel via bicycle and bus. Apart from Redgrave, they also included Dame Kelly Holmes, who won double middle distance running gold 2004 in Athens.

A warm welcome was expected especially in Chinatown, but 2,000 police were to be on hand to deal with the expected protests from groups such as Free Tibet. Scotland Yard said it expected at least six groups to stage protests.

Protests occurred during he lighting of the Olympic flame in ancient Olympia, Greece, on March 24, and the handover of the flame to China in Athens on March 30.

The flame arrived in Beijing on March 31 but the next day went on the international leg of the longest torch relay in Olympic history. The flame returns to China on May 4, with controversial legs planned in Tibet and to the summit of Mt Everest.

The relay concludes on August 8 when the last torch bearer lights the Olympic Cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Games.