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High security at Olympic ceremony High security at Olympic ceremony
(30 minutes later)
A ceremony to light the Olympic torch is under way amid heavy security in Greece, ahead of the torch being carried to Beijing for the games.A ceremony to light the Olympic torch is under way amid heavy security in Greece, ahead of the torch being carried to Beijing for the games.
Around 1,000 police officers are patrolling ancient Olympia, where the games originated 3,000 years ago. About 1,000 police officers are patrolling ancient Olympia, fearing protests by pro-Tibet demonstrators.
Organisers have feared disruption by activists, who vowed to protest over the violence in and around Tibet. One person briefly disrupted proceedings as China's representative spoke but was removed by security.
The torch is to be carried through 20 countries - and scale Mount Everest in Tibet - before the games open 8 August.The torch is to be carried through 20 countries - and scale Mount Everest in Tibet - before the games open 8 August.
The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended the decision to hold the Games in China saying there was "no momentum" for a boycott. Protester removed
As Liu Qi, head of the Beijing Olympic organising committee, spoke ahead of the torch lighting, a man ran up behind him attempting to display a flag.
He was quickly bundled away by police and Mr Liu continued his speech uninterrupted.
The Olympic Games are a force for good Jaques Rogge
The camera cut away from Mr Liu and the protester until he had been removed from the scene.
The flame-lighting ceremony, beside the Temple of Hera, is being televised and shown around the world.
The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended the decision to hold the Games in China saying there was "no momentum" for a boycott.
"The major political leaders don't want a boycott," said IOC president Jacques Rogge said ahead of Monday's ceremony."The major political leaders don't want a boycott," said IOC president Jacques Rogge said ahead of Monday's ceremony.
Activists had vowed to protest over the violence in and around Tibet.
'China will change''China will change'
The flame-lighting ceremony, beside the Temple of Hera, is being televised and shown around the world.
The Olympic Games are a force for good Jaques Rogge
The torch is traditionally held inside a parabolic mirror and ignited by the sun's rays.The torch is traditionally held inside a parabolic mirror and ignited by the sun's rays.
There have been fears cloudy skies meant the flame could not be lit in the traditional way at the dress rehearsal on Sunday and with storms forecast, organisers moved the ceremony by an hour to avoid the rain.There have been fears cloudy skies meant the flame could not be lit in the traditional way at the dress rehearsal on Sunday and with storms forecast, organisers moved the ceremony by an hour to avoid the rain.
Thousands of people are attending the ceremony, including Liu Qi, head of the Beijing Olympic organising committee, and the president and prime minister of Greece. But as the lighting ceremony got underway, the sun was shining.
Thousands of people are attending the ceremony, including the president and prime minister of Greece.
On Sunday, Mr Rogge described recent events in Tibet as "a matter of great concern to the IOC".On Sunday, Mr Rogge described recent events in Tibet as "a matter of great concern to the IOC".
The Olympics, he said, while "not a panacea for all ills", were a force for good that could prompt change.The Olympics, he said, while "not a panacea for all ills", were a force for good that could prompt change.
"We believe that China will change by opening the country to the scrutiny of the world through the 25,000 media who will attend the Games," he said."We believe that China will change by opening the country to the scrutiny of the world through the 25,000 media who will attend the Games," he said.
'Bloodstained torch''Bloodstained torch'
Tibetan independence activists said they will protest in Olympia during the ceremony. Tenzin Dorjee, deputy director of Students for a Free Tibet, said that the IOC should prevent the torch from passing through Tibet.
The Olympic torch will visit 22 cities around the worldTenzin Dorjee, deputy director of Students for a Free Tibet, said that the IOC should prevent the torch from passing through Tibet. The Olympic torch will visit 22 cities around the world"Carrying China's bloodstained torch through Tibet where we are seeing evidence of discontent would be adding insult to 50 years of injury," he said.
"Carrying China's bloodstained torch through Tibet where we are seeing evidence of discontent would be adding insult to 50 years of injury," he said.
But Chinese authorities say the route has been set and the torch-bearers chosen.But Chinese authorities say the route has been set and the torch-bearers chosen.
The torch relay team would work "with all concerned units, taking very seriously and cooperating with security and protection work, and strictly guarding against disturbances and sabotage by the Dalai clique", an unnamed official from the Tibet sports authority told the state-run Tibet Daily.The torch relay team would work "with all concerned units, taking very seriously and cooperating with security and protection work, and strictly guarding against disturbances and sabotage by the Dalai clique", an unnamed official from the Tibet sports authority told the state-run Tibet Daily.
Anti-China protests began in Tibet's main city, Lhasa, on 10 March and gradually escalated. Lhasa saw at least two days of violence and there have also been violent protests in provinces which border Tibet.Anti-China protests began in Tibet's main city, Lhasa, on 10 March and gradually escalated. Lhasa saw at least two days of violence and there have also been violent protests in provinces which border Tibet.
China says 19 people were killed by rioters and accuses Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama of inciting the violence.China says 19 people were killed by rioters and accuses Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama of inciting the violence.
The Tibetan government-in-exile says at least 99 people have died in a crackdown by Chinese troops and deny any role in organising the protests.The Tibetan government-in-exile says at least 99 people have died in a crackdown by Chinese troops and deny any role in organising the protests.