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London ready for Olympic parade Olympic parade begins in London
(10 minutes later)
The Olympic flame is soon to set out on the London leg of its epic journey from Olympia to Beijing. Champion rower Sir Steve Redgrave has started the Olympic torch relay, taking it out of Wembley stadium for the London leg of its journey to Beijing.
Eighty athletes, entertainers and dignitaries will relay the torch along a 31-mile route from Wembley Stadium to the O2 Arena in Greenwich.Eighty athletes, entertainers and dignitaries will relay the torch along a 31-mile route from Wembley Stadium to the O2 Arena in Greenwich.
Despite wintry weather, tens of thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets to watch the event. Thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets to watch the event.
Activists critical of the Chinese government's treatment of Tibetan protesters have vowed to demonstrate.Activists critical of the Chinese government's treatment of Tibetan protesters have vowed to demonstrate.
A delegation carrying the torch arrived at Heathrow on Saturday, where they were greeted by the Chinese ambassador Fu Ying and Minister for the Olympics Tessa Jowell.A delegation carrying the torch arrived at Heathrow on Saturday, where they were greeted by the Chinese ambassador Fu Ying and Minister for the Olympics Tessa Jowell.
Gordon Brown has come under pressure not to welcome the Olympic torch in Downing Street and to boycott the Beijing Olympics unless China opens talks with the Dalai Lama.Gordon Brown has come under pressure not to welcome the Olympic torch in Downing Street and to boycott the Beijing Olympics unless China opens talks with the Dalai Lama.
Human rightsHuman rights
The prime minister has resisted the calls - pointing out that the exiled Tibetan leader opposes such action.The prime minister has resisted the calls - pointing out that the exiled Tibetan leader opposes such action.
But he came under fresh attack ahead of the procession from Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg who branded the PM's participation "wholly inappropriate".But he came under fresh attack ahead of the procession from Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg who branded the PM's participation "wholly inappropriate".
"Of course there is politics in this and one certainly can't just brush over the fact that human rights are being systematically abused on an extraordinary scale in China," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr."Of course there is politics in this and one certainly can't just brush over the fact that human rights are being systematically abused on an extraordinary scale in China," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr.
Mr Clegg said "a calibrated approach" - such as refusing to engage in ceremonial duties - was the kind of "leverage" that would work with Chinese officials.Mr Clegg said "a calibrated approach" - such as refusing to engage in ceremonial duties - was the kind of "leverage" that would work with Chinese officials.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Coe - chairman of the London 2012 organising committee - hoped the protests did not become the focus of the procession.Meanwhile, Sebastian Coe - chairman of the London 2012 organising committee - hoped the protests did not become the focus of the procession.
"International sport has done far more to bring disparate communities together, sometimes communities and countries that are barely on speaking terms, than frankly most politicians have managed," he told BBC Radio 5 Live."International sport has done far more to bring disparate communities together, sometimes communities and countries that are barely on speaking terms, than frankly most politicians have managed," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Olympic valuesOlympic values
"If there are peaceful demonstrations that's acceptable but I do hope people recognise that this is actually a celebration of sport and Olympic values.""If there are peaceful demonstrations that's acceptable but I do hope people recognise that this is actually a celebration of sport and Olympic values."
Those taking part in the relay, which will start at 1030BST, include 10 Olympic champions, 18 schoolchildren and public figures such as news reader Sir Trevor McDonald and musician Vanessa Mae.Those taking part in the relay, which will start at 1030BST, include 10 Olympic champions, 18 schoolchildren and public figures such as news reader Sir Trevor McDonald and musician Vanessa Mae.
See a map of the torch relay route See a map of the torch relay route
Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes will run the last stage of the route to complete the relay before lighting the Olympic cauldron in front of 5,000 spectators.Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes will run the last stage of the route to complete the relay before lighting the Olympic cauldron in front of 5,000 spectators.
On its journey through the city the flame will be passed between runners and cyclists and onto an open-topped bus.On its journey through the city the flame will be passed between runners and cyclists and onto an open-topped bus.
Despite bitter temperatures and sleet, impromptu carnivals are expected as the torch passes iconic landmarks such as Nelson's Column, St Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge.Despite bitter temperatures and sleet, impromptu carnivals are expected as the torch passes iconic landmarks such as Nelson's Column, St Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge.
The flame started its journey in Olympia, Greece, last weekThe flame started its journey in Olympia, Greece, last week
The flame will complete the London leg of its journey with a finale event at the O2 Arena headlined by the Sugababes. It will then leave for Paris.The flame will complete the London leg of its journey with a finale event at the O2 Arena headlined by the Sugababes. It will then leave for Paris.
Warm welcomeWarm welcome
Other Olympians who will take part as torch bearers are marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe and champion rower Sir Steven Redgrave.Other Olympians who will take part as torch bearers are marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe and champion rower Sir Steven Redgrave.
Chinatown is expected to give the relay a particularly warm welcome but there will also be a strong police presence as a number of pro-Tibet groups have said they will hold protests.Chinatown is expected to give the relay a particularly warm welcome but there will also be a strong police presence as a number of pro-Tibet groups have said they will hold protests.
The Metropolitan Police said 2,000 officers would be mobilised to maintain order along the route of the relay.The Metropolitan Police said 2,000 officers would be mobilised to maintain order along the route of the relay.
A spokesman said Scotland Yard had heard from six organisations, including the Free Tibet movement, the Falun Gong spiritual group and the Burma campaign, which were planning to send 500 demonstrators between them.A spokesman said Scotland Yard had heard from six organisations, including the Free Tibet movement, the Falun Gong spiritual group and the Burma campaign, which were planning to send 500 demonstrators between them.
The torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, last week and will go through 20 countries before being carried into the Beijing Games opening ceremony on 8 August.The torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, last week and will go through 20 countries before being carried into the Beijing Games opening ceremony on 8 August.
LONDON TORCH RELAY 6 APRIL 1: Wembley 1030BST2: Ladbroke Grove 11003: British Museum 12204: China Town 12305: Trafalgar Square 12506: Southbank Centre 13307: Somerset House 1415 8: St Paul's Cathedral 14309: Potter's Fields 150010: Whitechapel Road 153011: Stratford 160012: Canary Wharf 170013: North Greenwich 1800 Source: Mayor of LondonLONDON TORCH RELAY 6 APRIL 1: Wembley 1030BST2: Ladbroke Grove 11003: British Museum 12204: China Town 12305: Trafalgar Square 12506: Southbank Centre 13307: Somerset House 1415 8: St Paul's Cathedral 14309: Potter's Fields 150010: Whitechapel Road 153011: Stratford 160012: Canary Wharf 170013: North Greenwich 1800 Source: Mayor of London
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Will you be going to see the Olympic torch pass through London? Will you be taking part in the any of the protests on Sunday? Send us your comments using the form below:Will you be going to see the Olympic torch pass through London? Will you be taking part in the any of the protests on Sunday? Send us your comments using the form below:
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