The Olympic torch continues its torturous run

Protesters plan to disrupt as the Olympic flame began the 17th leg of its global relay in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday. As in several past stops, demonstrators protesting China's policy toward Tibet have vowed to disrupt the rally.

At least 8,000 riot police were deployed to guard the 15 miles (24 km) route, which started at Olympic Park, built when Seoul hosted the Summer Games in 1988, and winds down at City Hall in central Seoul.

South Korea is no stranger to demonstrations. Police have successfully handled large crowds, such as recent protests against the country signing a free trade agreement with the United States.

"I respect people's rights to protest, to have their say. But this is not the venue for various people to express their political interests," said Kim Sang-Woo of the Korean Olympic Committee.

An hour before the start of the relay, thousands of Chinese students thronged the park plaza, singing songs and chanting "One China, One World" slogans.

About 30,000 Chinese students study in South Korea.

In other recent Asian legs of the relay, a large number of Chinese students have attended. In Bangkok, Thailand, students said the Chinese Embassy there provided their transportation and gave them shirts to wear.

They will be joined by other demonstrators critical of how China forcefully deports North Korean refugees back to their impoverished country when they escape into China.

The Olympic torch is nearing the end of the international leg of the relay. The torch is scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong on Wednesday. A May 2 relay there will kick off the final phase of the relay in China.

On Sunday, news reports stated that three human rights who had planned to protest during Hong Kong's Olympic torch relay activists had been barred entry into the Chinese city.

The flame arrived shortly after midnight from another Olympic host city: Nagano, Japan, site of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. A few sideliners waved Tibetan flags, but those were outnumbered by those holding large Chinese flags. Despite some scuffles, the relay went off uninterrupted.

The torch has been shadowed on its journeys by pro-Tibet demonstrators who troubled the relay in London, England; Paris, France; and San Francisco, California. Stops in those cities attracted tens of thousands of demonstrators and prompted dozens of arrests.

Security concerns prompted Pakistani officials to close the relay to the public and hold it at a stadium in front of invited guests. India truncated the route and kept protesters at bay by lining the route with thousands of police officers and paramilitary troopers.

But stops in some countries, such as Argentina, Tanzania and Oman, have been trouble-free.

From Seoul, the torch heads to Pyongyang,North Korea. It ends its round-the-world jaunt of 21 cities in five continents in in Beijing in August.

The Controversial Journey of the Beijing Olympic Torch

The journey of the 2008 Beijing Olympics has been marred by controversies. There have been protests by Tibetan supporters. It seems the Chinese crackdown in Tibet could not have come at a worse time. Tibetan exiles got an opportunity to showcase their cause in the world arena.

The Olympic torch had to be escorted and at many places the run was disrupted by protesters. In France the Olympic torch runner had to be escorted in a bus. Else where including India and Us very tight security arrangements were made for the symbolic Olympic flame carriers. The latest controversy centering around Olympic torch erupted in Japan.

Pro-Chinese supporters and protesters kicked and punched one another on Saturday during the Olympic torch relay, in incidents that injured at least four Chinese, officials said.

A demonstrator, whose nationality was unclear, kicked at the pro-Chinese crowd and Chinese supporters charged with flagpoles until Japanese police broke up the clash near the main train station here.

One young man, who appeared to be Chinese, was seen on the ground with bloody cuts on his forehead as supporters wrapped a Chinese flag around him.

It was one of the most serious of a string of incidents throughout Japan's leg of the worldwide relay in the central mountain town.

Chinese students, who outnumbered protesters, were seen surrounding the demonstrators who waved Tibetan flags, including at the relay's final point.

At least four Chinese people were injured in clashes, including one who was taken to a hospital for cuts to his forehead, according to police and fire department officials. None of the injuries were considered serious.

Two protesters were arrested for bursting onto the street in attempts to disrupt the relay. Police said one was Japanese and the other from another Asian country.

The non-Japanese man who was arrested was heard screaming at the top of his lungs in English, "Free Tibet!", as police tackled him down and carried him away.

Demonstrators also threw trash, an egg and flares towards the torch at different points, briefly holding up the relay. No arrests were reported in those incidents.

More than 3,000 police were deployed in Nagano, the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics, which has raised security to a level usually accorded to Emperor Akihito.

The history of the Olympic Games

Olympia

Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of "Pelops", the founder of the Olympic Games. Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty.

Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it. The ancient stadium in Olympia could accommodate more than 40,000 spectators, while in the surrounding area there were auxiliary buildings which developed gradually up until the 4th century B.C. and were used as training sites for the athletes or to house the judges of the Games.

The Games and religion

The Olympic Games were closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not an integral part of a rite. Indeed, they had a secular character and aimed to show the physical qualities and evolution of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraging good relations between the cities of Greece. According to specialists, the Olympic Games owed their purity and importance to religion.

Victory ceremonies

The Olympic victor received his first awards immediately after the competition. Following the announcement of the winner's name by the herald, a Hellanodikis (Greek judge) would place a palm branch in his hands, while the spectators cheered and threw flowers to him. Red ribbons were tied on his head and hands as a mark of victory.

The official award ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games, at the elevated vestibule of the temple of Zeus. In a loud voice, the herald would announce the name of the Olympic winner, his father's name, and his homeland. Then, the Hellanodikis placed the sacred olive tree wreath, or kotinos, on the winner's head.