Indonesia Alters Olympic Torch Route To Prevent Disruptions

Jakarta, Indonesia (AHN) - The route of the Olympic torch relay has been altered Tuesday in order to prevent any disruptions from anti-Chinese protesters and similar incidents that have marred the torch visit in Paris, London, and San Francisco.

Instead of the planned torch run through the streets, torchbearers ran laps inside a sports stadium with an invitation-only crowd to witness the said event. The event was not televised live due lack of broadcasters who were willing to shell out the financial costs.

Meanwhile police have detained several anti-Chinese protesters hours before the torch arrived including a Dutch national later identified as Stef Bolte.

"I am completely peaceful,'' Bolte told The Associated Press while being escorted by the police. "I am protesting human rights violations in Tibet.''

Around 5,000 people mostly representatives from the government and local officials have gathered inside the Bung Karno Stadium and were lucky enough to witness the historic event amidst the gloomy and rainy weather. Students as well a Chinese nationals working in the city waved their respective flags during the torch run. The governor of Jakarta kicked off the torch run by doing five laps inside the stadium.

While others had to be turned away due to security reasons.

Nearby the stadium, police have arrested several anti-Chinese protesters and have seized Tibetan flags and banners used during the rally.

The Indonesian leg of the Olympic flame, which was scheduled to pass through the capital, had to be shortened due to mounting anti-Chinese protests. The Chinese Embassy in Indonesia has earlier urged its Indonesian counterpart to stage the torch run in such a way that disruptions would be minimized if not prevented.

Olympic Organizers are already preparing contingencies when the Olympic flame next visit Australia on Thursday where planned protests have been received ahead the torch's arrival.