IOC pours water on international torch relays

By Steve Keating

DENVER (Reuters) - Future torch relays will avoid running the risk of attracting negative attention by taking place within the borders of host countries, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday.

Following the protests and unpleasant scenes that marred the 2008 Beijing Olympics worldwide torch relay, the IOC executive board decided to close a loophole in the host city contract and ban international legs, starting with the 2016 Summer Games.

Instead of representing a symbol of hope and inspiration, the Olympic torch became a magnet for protesters as it made its way to Beijing, sparking sometimes violent protests over China's human rights record.

Organisers of both the 2012 Summer Games in London and next year's Winter Games in Vancouver had already decided not to take the torch overseas and the IOC said it would ask 2014 Winter Games host Sochi to keep the flame inside Russian borders.

"After the relay in Athens, which was the first international relay, we came to the conclusion it was easier for the torch to stay inside the country," IOC executive director Gilbert Felli told reporters.

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"There were difficulties with the NOCs (National Olympic Committees) and the countries and we also saw the risk with a torch relay going around the world," the Swiss added.