"The IOC definitely wants and wishes for the Olympic flame to be respected, because it is a very important symbol that unites people, " Rogge told Chinese reporters.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge answers questions during a news conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, Feb. 28, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "We respect people who want to protest. This is the freedom of speech, freedom of expression. However, if you want to protest, it has to be peaceful," added the IOC chief.

    Despite disruptions by a few Tibetan separatists and their supporters during the London and Paris legs of the Olympic torch relay, there will be no change in the itinerary which includes carrying the flame to the highest peak on Earth, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) said.

    The flame was lit in Olympia, Greece, on March 24 and is being relayed through 21 cities outside the Chinese mainland before being carried into the opening ceremony on August 8.

IOC chief: athletes' health not in danger in Beijing

    Beijing's air quality will not endanger athletes' health at this summer's Olympic Games, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said here on Tuesday.

    "For every effort on the one-hour, there is no problem, no danger, the same goes for indoor sports," Rogge told Chinese reporters. Full story

Chinese FM clarifies reports on Olympic torch relay in Paris

    BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Foreign media reports saying the Olympic torch was forced to be extinguished during the relay in Paris were false, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said early Tuesday morning.

    The modes of the relay in Paris were temporarily changed to safeguard the security and dignity of the Olympic torch under the circumstances there, Jiang said in a statement released by the ministry. Full story

China condemns disruption of Olympic torch relay in London, Paris

    BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said on Tuesday China strongly condemns the disruption of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in London and Paris by "Tibet independence" secessionists.

    Jiang made the remarks when commenting on the attempts by a handful of Tibetan separatists in London and Paris to disrupt the Beijing Olympic torch relay on April 6 and 7.  Full story

French Olympic chief, spectators condemn disruption of Olympic torch relay in Paris

    PARIS, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Head of the French Olympic Committee and spectators on Monday strongly condemned the disruption of the Olympic torch relay here by Tibetan separatists and their supporters.

    Henri Serandour, head of the French Olympic Committee criticized the disruption as "highly regrettable."   Full story

Olympic torch relay in Paris concludes

Spectators cheer and wave Chinese national flags as they watch the Olympic torch relay in Paris, capital of France,on April 7, 2008. Paris is the fifth stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    PARIS, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic torch relay concluded in Paris Monday afternoon, after repeated disruptions by Tibetan separatists and their supporters which aroused indignation from spectators and sports officials.

    The torch was forced to be put on an accompanying bus for four times in the afternoon as precautions against the protestors, a Xinhua photographer reported. The journey was cut short and brought to the final place by bus.  Full story