This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7321271.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| High alert for Olympic handover | High alert for Olympic handover |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Tight security is in place in Athens as thousands of people watch a ceremony to hand over the Olympic torch to Chinese officials. | |
| The torch's passage through Greece since being lit on 24 March at Olympia has been dogged by protests on human rights and Tibet. | The torch's passage through Greece since being lit on 24 March at Olympia has been dogged by protests on human rights and Tibet. |
| The torch will later travel to China by plane and be welcomed at a ceremony in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Monday. | The torch will later travel to China by plane and be welcomed at a ceremony in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Monday. |
| It will then tour 20 countries before returning for the opening on 8 August. | It will then tour 20 countries before returning for the opening on 8 August. |
| Meanwhile exiled Tibetans in India's capital Delhi launched an "independence torch" to tour the world in an anti-China protest. | Meanwhile exiled Tibetans in India's capital Delhi launched an "independence torch" to tour the world in an anti-China protest. |
| Route shortened | Route shortened |
| Sunday's formal handover ceremony is taking place in the Panathinaiko Stadium. | |
| See map of Olympic torch relay route | See map of Olympic torch relay route |
| Police have warned they will confiscate all banners, signs or objects that may be thrown and arrest anyone who shows signs of protesting. | Police have warned they will confiscate all banners, signs or objects that may be thrown and arrest anyone who shows signs of protesting. |
| Pro-Tibetan activists disrupted the lighting ceremony | Pro-Tibetan activists disrupted the lighting ceremony |
| Pro-Tibetan activists disrupted the Olympia lighting ceremony, breaking through police lines and unfurling a Tibetan flag before being dragged away. | Pro-Tibetan activists disrupted the Olympia lighting ceremony, breaking through police lines and unfurling a Tibetan flag before being dragged away. |
| Greek organisers have altered the torch's route over the past few days to nullify protests. The torch has had a police guard and a group of runners to protect it. | Greek organisers have altered the torch's route over the past few days to nullify protests. The torch has had a police guard and a group of runners to protect it. |
| Greek Olympic Committee spokesman Tassos Papachristou said Sunday's route had been shortened. | Greek Olympic Committee spokesman Tassos Papachristou said Sunday's route had been shortened. |
| "The flame will now run a small distance through the centre of Athens before [the handover ceremony] at 1500 (1200 GMT)," he said. | "The flame will now run a small distance through the centre of Athens before [the handover ceremony] at 1500 (1200 GMT)," he said. |
| On Saturday there was a peaceful protest beneath the Acropolis. | On Saturday there was a peaceful protest beneath the Acropolis. |
| Security has also been increased in Beijing for the Tiananmen Square ceremony, with a tightening of journalist accreditation. | Security has also been increased in Beijing for the Tiananmen Square ceremony, with a tightening of journalist accreditation. |
| There has been little movement internationally towards boycotting the Games, although French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said "all options are open" following the recent unrest in Tibet. | There has been little movement internationally towards boycotting the Games, although French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said "all options are open" following the recent unrest in Tibet. |
| The Tibetan alternative torch was unveiled in Delhi on Sunday and will next go to San Francisco on 9 April, when the Olympic torch is expected to arrive. | The Tibetan alternative torch was unveiled in Delhi on Sunday and will next go to San Francisco on 9 April, when the Olympic torch is expected to arrive. |
| Tibet's government-in-exile, based in India, says about 140 people were killed in the crackdown on recent unrest by Chinese security forces. Beijing disputes this, saying 19 people were killed by rioters. | Tibet's government-in-exile, based in India, says about 140 people were killed in the crackdown on recent unrest by Chinese security forces. Beijing disputes this, saying 19 people were killed by rioters. |
| OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, it is taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the worldTorch arrives in Macao on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official site | OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, it is taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the worldTorch arrives in Macao on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official site |
| Click here to return | Click here to return |