2012 Olympic organizers undecided on possibility of worldwide torch relay

[Jeremy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=3346178

LONDON -- Organizers for the 2012 London Olympics are considering a British-only torch relay after the chaos and protests during worldwide legs for the Beijing Games.

There have been scuffles and demonstrations by pro-Tibet activists in London, Paris and San Francisco during the relay the past week.

"It is too early to say," London 2012 deputy chairman Keith Mills said Monday. "We are committed to a relay domestically and it will definitely go around the regions. But it [going internationally] has not been ruled out or ruled in. It is something we will have to discuss with the International Olympic Committee."

An Olympic host city decides its torch relay route, which is then approved by the IOC.

"No decision has been made," Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said. "This is something that will be the subject of very careful consideration over the next four years. We do not have to make a decision until after the dust has settled over Beijing. Our aim is to host the best games ever."

Two-time Olympic gold medalist runner Kelly Holmes prefers a global torch relay.

"It is quite nice to have a relay that goes around the world," said Holmes, who won gold in the 800 and 1,500 meters four years ago in Athens. "The Olympics is about bringing people together and it does do this, which is why when all these things happen it is such a shame.

"You cannot mix sport and politics. You should be using business and government as opposed to sport."

The Athens torch relay visited 34 cities, including every host of the Summer Olympics, as well as cities in Africa and South America. In 2000 for the Sydney Games, the torch went through Oceania, New Zealand and Australia.

[Borski]

I'm pretty sure London doesn't have the worldwide political problems that China has.