Protesters tried to grab the Olympic torch off former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq as the parade made its way through London today.
Ms Huq, from Chiswick, was one of a number of celebrities and sports stars to carry the torch along the 31-mile London parade.
But the journey was marred by pro-Tibetan protesters who accosted her and others, with police arresting 30 people.
The protests over China's human rights record began as Sir Steve Redgrave, the five times Olympic gold medallist rower, started the parade at Wembley.
The demonstrations continued as pentathlete Denise Lewis carried the flame to Downing Street.
Several small scuffles occurred as about 500 people in Whitehall and 2,000 near the British Museum gathered to watch the parade.
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Pro-China supporters also tried to demonstrate, holding Chinese and Olympic flags chanting "one China".
Speaking to BBC News 24, Ms Huq said she was "a bit bashed about" but not seriously hurt.
She added: "I always said my taking part in the procession doesn't mean I condone China in any way.
"I believe in the Olympic values, the Olympic ideals, it's just unfortunate that China has such a terrible track record when it comes to human rights and they are the host nation."
Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes will complete the relay before lighting the Olympic cauldron in front of 5,000 spectators.
Then follows a concert at the O2 Arena headlined by the Sugababes, before the torch leaves for Paris.
The flame was lit in Greece last week and will travel through 20 countries before being carried into the Beijing Games opening ceremony on August 8.
Posted by: P.J. Anthony, South London on 2:08am Mon 7 Apr 08
I honestly believe that Konnie Huq should have pulled out of the procession when she was supposedly thinking about it during the week, I am ashamed of those so called sports heroes that took part in this fiasco. You seriously have to blind, deaf and considerably stupid to not realize what is going on in China and what they're human rights record say and how obvious this olympic torch relay is being used politically. These people seriously need to wake up and admit to themselves at least that a silly boat race or a tv program are nothing when compared to life. I sit and wonder what is happening to this world when people put sport in front of human rights and the lives of millions. The Olympic comittee should have never giving the 2008 olympic to China in the first place, they must have known it was never going to be a smooth ride the second Chins was given the 2008 olympics. A seriously concerned citizen.
I honestly believe that Konnie Huq should have pulled out of the procession when she was supposedly thinking about it during the week, I am ashamed of those so called sports heroes that took part in this fiasco. You seriously have to blind, deaf and considerably stupid to not realize what is going on in China and what they're human rights record say and how obvious this olympic torch relay is being used politically. These people seriously need to wake up and admit to themselves at least that a silly boat race or a tv program are nothing when compared to life. I sit and wonder what is happening to this world when people put sport in front of human rights and the lives of millions. The Olympic comittee should have never giving the 2008 olympic to China in the first place, they must have known it was never going to be a smooth ride the second Chins was given the 2008 olympics. A seriously concerned citizen.
PJ, you need to eat more roughage. Sport and politics are seperate issues. Athletes have been training half their lives for these Games. Why should they be criticised for something that doesn't involve them?
PJ, you need to eat more roughage. Sport and politics are seperate issues. Athletes have been training half their lives for these Games. Why should they be criticised for something that doesn't involve them?
PJ....shut-up. If the situation in Tibet bothers you that much, go out there and protest. It has no part to play in our society. We've enough to worry about in the UK and don't need anyone else's problems. You're just another spoiler who want's to ruin anything good about this world. Ricky...you're spot on. Sport and politics should be kept apart.
PJ....shut-up. If the situation in Tibet bothers you that much, go out there and protest. It has no part to play in our society. We've enough to worry about in the UK and don't need anyone else's problems. You're just another spoiler who want's to ruin anything good about this world. Ricky...you're spot on. Sport and politics should be kept apart.
Bob, I agree that sport and politics should be kept seperate, but the International Olympic Committee made the event political the moment they decided China should host it.
Bob, I agree that sport and politics should be kept seperate, but the International Olympic Committee made the event political the moment they decided China should host it.
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