March 26 - The torch relay for London 2012 will not be allowed to travel outside the United Kingdom, because of the demonstrations last year the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled here tonight.

 

The Beijing Torch Relay was marred by anti-Chinese demonstrations, particularly the event in London where it was disrupted on several occasions along the 31 mile route by protesters, despite a Metropolitan Police security operation that cost the taxpayer £750,000.

 

There were further problems in Paris, Canberra, San Francisco, Seoul and Tokyo as the torch travelled from Olympia in Greece to the Chinese capital and became a magnet for Free Tibet supporters.

 

In Pakistan and Indonesia the event was held behind closed doors to avoid protests.

 

The Chinese "flame attendants" who accompanied the torch on its journey were blamed for many of the problems in London.

 

Sebastian Coe, the London 2012 chairman, described them as "thugs" after he claimed that they had pushed him during the relay.

 

Gilbert Felli, the IOC's director of the Olympic Games, said that a meeting of the ruling Executive Board had ruled that in future the Host City Contract, that all successful Olympic candidates must sign when they are awarded the Games, would have it enshrined that the relay cannot travel outside their borders.

 

He said: "After the relay in Athens [for the 2004 Olympics], which was the first international relay we came to the conclusion it was easier for the torch to stay inside the country.

 

"There were difficulties with the NOCs (National Olympic Committees) and we also saw the risk with a torch relay going around the world.

 

"Beijing had planned an international torch relay and we accepted to let them do it and we saw in the debrief that the risk was there and the IOC decided not to do it [anymore].

 

"I think when the torch relay is inside the country there is more control."

 

Vancouver had already announced that they planned only a domestic torch relay for next year's Winter Olympics.

 

Technically, London and Sochi - host of the 2014 Winter Games - could still ask the IOC to be allowed to do an international torch relay because the loophole in the Host City Contract will not be closed until the 2016 Olympics are awarded.

 

But Felli said that the IOC would refuse permission.

 

Paul Deighton, the chief executive of London 2012, told insidethegames that they never had any plans for a Beijing-style international event.

 

He said: "We have just been focussed on using the torch relay to take the Games around the UK so for us this isn't a particularly big deal.

 

"For me, the torch is when we will really be able to get everybody around the UK enthusiastic about the Games, so all our thinking and attention to date has how we do that."

 

But Deighton said that London 2012 may ask the IOC for special dispensation so that they can take the torch to Dublin as part of its journey around the British Isles.