The Chinese officials are hoping to finalise details of the Paralympic torch relay visiting London on August 31.

 

The Olympic torch relay last month was marked by protests by anti-Chinese groups, including Free Tibet, a heavy police presence which cost the taxpayer £750,000 and controversy over the role of the Chinese flame attendants, who London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe described as "thugs".

 

But Phil Lane, the chief executive of ParalympicsGB, is determined that the event should be held in London.

 

He told insidethegames: "I think it will go ahead.

 

"It would be the right thing to do.

 

"The principle has been established that the Paralympic Movement is a part of the Olympic Movement and I think that is right."

 

But, unlike the Olympic torch relay, which travelled more than 30 miles across London from Wembley Stadium to the O2 Arena, the Paralympic event is likely to be a much more low-key affair and the role of the flame attendants, who Olympic Minister Tessa Jowell admitted should have been more closely vetted, will also be reviewed.

 

Lane said: "It will be a much more containable event.

 

"We are still at a very early stage of the planning process.

 

"This visit is key and what Beijing's expectations are."

 

Xavier Gonzalez, the chief executive of the International Paralympic Committee, also supports Beijing's idea of taking the torch outside of China and does not expect the protests during its three-country tour that marred the Olympic version.

 

The torch will be paraded in Vancouver, host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, on August 29 and then travel to London.

 

It will leave London to travel to Sochi, the Russian host of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

 

It will be the first international torch relay in advance of a Paralympic Games.

 

Gonzalez said: "The Beijing Paralympics torch relay is a very positive message and is for us a huge opportunity.

 

"It is for us very important because it represents solidarity with people around the world with disabilities and for us that is what we are focusing on, the positive message the Olympics will bring."

 

The Paralympics begin on September 6, 100 days from today.