Olympic torch relay descends into farce

The troubled journey of the Olympic torch across the world turned into a game of hide and seek in the U.S. city of San Francisco on Wednesday.

Both Olympic supporters and those protesting Chinese rule in Tibet were thrown off track when the route was severely shortened at the last moment.

The torch bearers were only told about the change 10 minutes before the start of the ceremony.

Organisers took the measures were to avoid a repeat of the angry demonstrations that disrupted the relay in Paris and London.