The Observer claimed today that it was because Chinese authorities feared a repeat of the demonstrations that marred the visit of the Olympic torch to London on April 6.

 

The progress of the Olympic torch through London was disrupted by Free Tibet protestors and required a heavy police presence that cost the taxpayer £750,000 and led to controversy over the role of the blue-and-white track-suited Chinese flame attendants, whom London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe described as 'thugs'.

 

Beijing officials held talks at the end of last month with representatives from the British Paralympic Association and the Greater London Authority about the Paralympic torch visiting London on August 31, as reported exclusively on insidethegames last month.

 

It had been intended to be a much more low-key affair than the Olympic torch relay, which travelled more than 30 miles across London from Wembley Stadium to the O2 Arena, perhaps progressing down the River Thames.

 

But the Chinese Government has had a late change of heart and has decided that they do want not a repeat of the protests that also flared in Paris and San Francisco and the bad publicity that accompanied it.

 

Visits to Vancouver and Sochi, the respective hosts of the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, have also been cancelled.

 

An official announcement is expected to be made by the International Paralympic Committee later this week.

 

To read the full article visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jun/22/olympicgames.