The Greek authorities are questioning themselves today after Tibetan protesters managed to gain access and disrupt the lighting of the Olympic torch is Olympia.

 

Two members of the Reporters Without Borders media group managed to wrong foot 1000 police and security staff to gain access to the podium as the President of the Beijing Olympics Committee was speaking.

 

Both protesters waved banners declaring ‘Free Tibet’ as they were wrestled to the ground by security and bundles out of sight of the cameras. The ceremony continued however and the torch was lit and began a tour of Olympia.

 

The torch was carried upon a vehicle through the streets of the Greek city that was the very first place to play host to the games. At one stage a female protester managed to gain access to the road and layed herself in front of the procession. However she was quickly removed and another man was set upon by police and spectators whilst waving the Tibetan flag.

 

The torch will now go on a world tour covering 85,000 miles before arriving at Beijing in August to signify the start of the games. It will pass through Tibet itself and a very high security presence is expected in light of the anti-Chinese demonstrations that have been held in the past few weeks.

 

The Chinese government has come under high levels of criticism lately having banned all journalists from Tibet despite basing its campaign to win the Olympics on the fact that it would allow totally free movement around all areas of the Chinese territories.

 

The President of the International Olympic Committee said ‘it is always very sad when anyone protests and we are just glad that there was no violence.’