Beijing Olympic Torch Relay Begins in Greece with Protests

The 2008 Olympic Torch Relay began today in Greece. Actors portraying Greek priestesses ignited the torch.

Experience taught me that there would be protests during the event and indeed, they did happen.

Political activists made good on their promise to protest the lighting of the Olympic torch on the site of Ancient Olympia today. In response to the ongoing situation in Tibet, the group Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, had been calling for a complete boycott of the opening ceremony, saying in a statement:

"We cannot let the Chinese government seize the Olympic flame, a symbol of peace, without denouncing the dramatic human rights situation in the country"

Three members of the RSF busted through a line of over 1,000 police officers (3 against 1,000 – and they got through)? That is not my idea of security with one running up behind the head of the Beijing Olympic committee while he was giving us internationally broadcast speech. The protester was holding a black flag that depicted the Olympic Rings made from handcuffs.

An hour later another group of protesters covered in red paint laid down in the town's main street, before being chased down by the cops. International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge publicly commended the protesters on their ability to remain non-violent during their protest.

This Olympics is going to be interesting. The protests in Mexico City 1968 and boycotts in Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984 are going to seem like child’s play.

I do not foresee any major boycotts but I do see major protests. Stay tuned for further updates.

"To stand in silence when they should be protesting makes cowards out of men" – Abraham Lincoln