No world tour for 2012 torch as London looks to avoid protests

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It is hoped that the proposal, which follows the international relay in Beijing marred by violent protests by Free Tibet campaigners, will ensure a gentler countdown to the Games in London.

Instead of being carried through world capitals, the torch would be taken to classic British sporting venues, such as St Andrews, the home of golf; the All England Club, host of the Wimbledon Championships, and Rugby School, where William Webb Ellis flattened the regular football to create the game.

The tour would start in Much Wenlock, Shropshire - seen as the birthplace of the modern Olympics - after the lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece.

A decision on the plan rests with the London Olympic Organising Committee.

Today Dick Pound, former International Olympic Committee vice-president and representative for Canada, said the global part of the relay had become a pointless and dangerous exercise.

"There should be a resolution to do away with the international portion of the torch relay," he said.

Mr Pound said that the anti-Chinese protests had sealed the fate of the global tour and had nearly resulted in a boycott. "The risks were obvious and should have been assessed more closely," he said.

"In my country we were in full boycott mode. I think it was only the earthquake [in Sichuan province, which killed 70,000] which diverted attention away from something that would have been very serious for us," he added.

Chinese authorities had been warned about holding an international tour because of geopolitical sensitivities.

The flame is on the final leg of its 130-day journey today, two days ahead of the official opening of the Games.