2008 Olympic torch arrives in London
{{date|April 5, 2008}}
[[Image:Official 2008 Summer Olympics Torch in Vilnius.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The 2008 Olympic torch {{image credit|Wikimedia Commons [[commons:User:Cmapm|User:Cmapm]]}}]]
The 2008 {{w|Olympic flame|Olympic Torch}} has arrived in [[London]] today, with the delegation being met by [[China|Chinese]] ambassador {{w|Fu Ying}} and Minister for the Olympics {{w|Tessa Jowell}} at [[Heathrow Airport]].  The torch had just arrived from [[Saint Petersburg, Russia|St Petersburg]], [[Russia]].

Tomorrow, [[United Kingdom|British]] Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]] will give a welcoming speech, which has already drawn criticism from other politicians for being "wholly inappropriate".  

After the speech the torch will be taken on a 31 mile relay around London, beginning at {{w|Wembley Stadium|Wembley stadium}}, and finishing at the {{w|The O2 Arena|O2 Arena}}, being carried by 80 athletes, dignitaries and entertainers, after initially being carried by five time Olympic gold medal winner {{w|Steve Redgrave|Sir Steve Redgrave}}.

It is expected that the relay route will be lined by hundreds of people, however around 500 people are also expected to protest against the current human rights issues in the country, which has already taken place along the route. 4 people were also arrested today, 2 of which were on {{w|Westminster Bridge}}, after un-furling banners on the bridge.
[[Image:Beijing 2008 Torch Relay Route.png|thumb|left|200px|Map showing the route of the torch ([[:Image:Beijing_2008_Torch_Relay_Route.png|Click to enlarge]]) {{image credit|Wikimedia Commons [[commons:User:Aleenf1|User:Aleenf1]]}}]]
Around 2,000 [[Metropolitan Police]] are expected to be present tomorrow at the relay, and Tessa Jowell told the ''[[BBC]]'' that she hoped the protests would be peaceful.

The arrival of the torch comes on the same day that Chinese security forces fired on [[Tibet]]an protesters, killing 8.

The torch, which has come from [[Greece]], will make its way around the world, being transported by thousands of people, and end in China on August 8th, 2008, to light the flame during the opening ceremony.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
{{wikipediapars|[[w:2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Summer Olympics]] and the [[w:2008 Summer Olympics torch relay|2008 Summer Olympics torch relay]]}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7331388.stm
|title= Olympic flame arrives in London
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=April 5, 2008}}
*{{source|url=http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jDhRVeYXQWwGIwILKHcPR8obJkJw
|title=London protest over Olympic torch
|author=
|pub=The Press Association
|date=April 5, 2008}}
*{{source|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h5Z6bJwtN_roGSIUQiQnfbf2NkhgD8VRQ5KG0
|title=Police Fire on Tibetan Protesters; 8 Die
|author=Tini Tran 
|pub=The Associated Press
|date=Arpil 5, 2008}}

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[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games]]
[[Category:China]]
[[Category:Greece]]
[[Category:Olympics]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Russia]]
[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Metropolitan Police]]
[[Category:London]]
[[Category:Heathrow Airport]]
[[Category:Saint Petersburg, Russia]]

[[fi:Olympiatuli Lontooseen]]
[[fr:Des incidents se sont produits lors du passage de la flamme olympique à Londres]]
The 2008 Olympic torch 
The 2008 Olympic Torch has arrived in London today, with the delegation being met by Chinese ambassador Tessa Jowell at Heathrow Airport.  The torch had just arrived from St Petersburg, Russia.

Tomorrow, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will give a welcoming speech, which has already drawn criticism from other politicians for being "wholly inappropriate".  

After the speech the torch will be taken on a 31 mile relay around London, beginning at Wembley stadium, and finishing at the O2 Arena, being carried by 80 athletes, dignitaries and entertainers, after initially being carried by five time Olympic gold medal winner Sir Steve Redgrave.

It is expected that the relay route will be lined by hundreds of people, however around 500 people are also expected to protest against the current human rights issues in the country, which has already taken place along the route. 4 people were also arrested today, 2 of which were on , after un-furling banners on the bridge.
Click to enlarge) 
Around 2,000 Metropolitan Police are expected to be present tomorrow at the relay, and Tessa Jowell told the BBC that she hoped the protests would be peaceful.

The arrival of the torch comes on the same day that Chinese security forces fired on Tibetan protesters, killing 8.

The torch, which has come from Greece, will make its way around the world, being transported by thousands of people, and end in China on August 8th, 2008, to light the flame during the opening ceremony.
Asia Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games China Greece Olympics Politics and conflicts Russia Sports United Kingdom Metropolitan Police London Heathrow Airport Saint Petersburg, Russia