The Australian Olympic committee is running for cover as the effectiveness of human rights protesters nearly brought the London torch relay leg to halt and eventually caused the event to be cancelled in France.

The torch relay's symbolic meaning has so far been lost as violent protests supporting the independence of Tibet and attacking China's human rights record.

The French continued their proud history of public protests with thousands turning out to complain at the torch's presence in their country.

The torch had to be extinguished by officials three times as concerned torch bearers, typically athletes and celebrities, were bundled onto a bus to avoid the danger of angry and violent protesters.

London unrest greets sacred flame

In London, a crew of Chinese "flame attendants" wearing matching blue tracksuits appeared beside the runners in London - the same kind of protection outfit requested by the Chinese for the Australian leg.

PM Kevin Rudd has so far rejected Chinese requests to send security to protect the ‘sacred flame'.

From Wembley to the O2 arena the torch bearers were harassed and abused with some protesters lunging at the torch and spraying it with fire extinguishers.

Despite the mass of security, one man managed to get his hands on they torch before being wrestled to the ground.

A team of more than 20 attendants were assigned to run beside the torch bearers, communicating with an unknown authority via earpieces and microphones.

The attendants, looking stern and unmovable, stood in front of UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, obstructing photographers and annoying onlookers.

Strangely, even a spokesman for the Chinese embassy was not sure who was responsible for the attendants.

Online, China's censorship, combined with the Olympic Organisation's vigilant protection of the Olympic spirit, have combined to put on a good face and ignore the imbroglio.

The official website for the Olympics  has failed to notice the drama, their headlines pointing out "Olympic flame crosses London amid snow".

More info

China slams "vile" Olympic torch protest in London - Yahoo! UK article

Chinese report on Olympic Torch in France  - Xinhua article

www.olympics.com.au - Australian Olympic site