Following protests and violence along the entire route of the torch relay, the event that has taken the Olympic spirit to all the corners of the globe for before each Olympic games may soon be retired. 

This news comes following comments from Australian IOC member Kevin Gosper to the Chinese media that he was "desperately disappointed".

Olympic officials say games chiefs will this week discuss scrapping international torch relays for future Games following protests that have disrupted the London event and brought a halt to the French relay.

"They just take their hate out on whatever the issues are at the time, and that hate against the host country is being taken out on our torch," said Gosper.

John Coates, in Beijing for the ANOC, was more moderate, saying, "We have always understood that the Olympic Games and the Torch relay are an opportunity to protest but we don't expect athletes and others carrying the torch to be in any physical danger." 

"The Olympians and other torchbearers selected to run with the flame should be allowed to enjoy the moment.  It is a symbol of the values of the Olympic Movement.

More info 

Olympic torch chaos - Sunrise

Should the torch relay be abandoned? - Sunrise

San Francisco braces for Torch Relay - Y7 NEWS article
Protesters have already strung pro-Tibet banners from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.