Protests in support of Tibetan culture and a rare April snowstorm greeted the Olympic torch's arrival in London on Sunday.

One protester tried to put out the flame with what appeared to be a fire extinguisher.
(Ian Walton/Associated Press)

Police scuffled with protesters as athletes and celebrities carried the torch through the city during a 50-kilometre relay.

In one incident, three demonstrators tried to board a relay bus that was to carry five-time Olympic gold medallist Steve Redgrave from Wembley Stadium to the next point in the relay.

Chinese officials in blue athletic suits and British police officers on bicycles guarded those carrying the torch, but demonstrators repeatedly broke through the security cordon.

The actions of one man forced police to briefly stop the procession in west London after he tried to grab the torch from British television presenter Konnie Huq. He had his hands on the torch for a few seconds before officers wrestled him to the ground.

Another demonstrator tried to snuff out the flame with what appeared to be a fire extinguisher.

Authorities said as many as 37 protesters were arrested.

Activists demonstrating China's human rights record and a recent crackdown on Tibet have been protesting along the torch route since the start of the flame's relay from Ancient Olympia in Greece to Beijing, host of the 2008 Summer Olympics in August.

International Olympic Committee head Jacques Rogge said he is worried about the unrest in Tibet and other issues surrounding the Beijing Games.

"I'm very concerned with the international situation and what's happening in Tibet," Rogge said in Beijing. He was in the Chinese capital to meet with officials from national Olympic committees.