Sydney: The route for the Australian leg of the Olympic torch relay has been changed after the spectacle attracted angry pro-Tibet protests in Europe, an official said today.

Organisers of the flame's two-day stop in the national capital Canberra have already said that, while the route would not be shortened, security would be enhanced.

Canberra torch relay organiser Ted Quinlan said today the planned pathway for the torch was still under revision because of the security threat posed by anger at Olympic host China's treatment of Tibet.

"We are revising the route," he told AFP. "We've reconfigured the route that we initially had simply because we need to take into account security all the way."

Quinlan said it was a pity that the new course, which will be announced about 48 hours before the torch arrives in Australia on April 23, would place the public at a greater distance to the flame than previously allowed.

"The route is likely to be on wider roads, and it's likely the public will be further away and it's likely to have more security people between the public and the torch itself, a great shame," he said.

"In previous torch relays we've seen the torch-bearer high-fiving people in the crowd, and being able to trot over near their family and support group, all of that becomes difficult now."

Quinlan said organisers had always expected the torch's arrival in Canberra to be greeted with protest, but he called on demonstrators to respect the 80 Australians who will run with the flame, some of whom are disabled or elderly. 
Source : PTI