Indonesian torch relay route reduced to stadium laps
Australian, South Korean runners pull out of planned run
Last Updated: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 | 5:51 AM ET
CBC News
Eight people were detained during a drastically shortened, invitation-only Olympic torch relay in Indonesia Tuesday, the same day a handful of torchbearers in Australia and South Korea pulled out of their scheduled runs to protest China's crackdown on Tibet.
In an effort to avoid the type of disruptions experienced in London, Paris and San Francisco, officials in Jakarta limited Indonesia's first-ever torch run to an invitation-only crowd guarded by 3,000 police officers and water cannons.
The route — originally planned to snake through the streets of Indonesia's capital — was shortened the day before to five laps around Jakarta's main sports stadium, reportedly at the behest of the Chinese Embassy, which insisted the event be curtailed to avoid protests.
Despite the measures, about 100 pro-Tibet demonstrators gathered at the stadium gates Tuesday. At least eight were detained by police, who also seized flags from the protesters.
Tri Agus Siswowiharjo, one of seven Indonesians arrested, said he was protesting Beijing's crackdown last month on protesters in Tibet.
"I am completely peaceful," said another protester, identified by local media as Stef Bolte of the Netherlands.
"I am protesting human rights violations in Tibet."
Olympic torch relays around the globe have been marred by protests and confrontation as pro-Tibet activists use the events as a platform to demand autonomy for Tibet and an end to the Chinese-sponsored crackdown that began there last month.
Torch runners join protest
Meanwhile, an Australian social justice advocate scheduled to carry the torch during a relay in Canberra Thursday has said she is withdrawing from the event out of concerns over China's human rights record.
"I hope it doesn't send any particular message to Australia's athletes," said Lin Hatfield-Dodds, who was chosen for the relay because she was named Australian of the Year in her territory for her work with poor and disadvantaged Australians.
"I hope that it sends a message to the world at large that human rights matter."
Two South Korean runners have also decided to boycott the Seoul relay Sunday in protest of China's actions in Tibet.
With files from the Associated Press
