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- Event took place April 24, 2008
- Followed a route through Canberra, the capital of Australia
- Australia is China's largest trade partner
- Kevin Rudd is the only leader of a Western country that speaks Mandarin
- Kevin Rudd was not in attendance of the event, but stated this was not meant to be a snub to China
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The Olympic Torch Relay passed through the capital of Australia, Canberra, on April 24, 2008. Security was a major concern for this leg of the relay as large scale Tibetan Independence demonstrations were expected. Seven people were arrested during the event, which was described as "rowdy", as thousands of pro-Chinese demonstrators faced off against Tibetan Independence activists.
Chinese Security Agents
A group of security agents from China accompanied the torch on its route in Australia. There was much debate as to the exact role these officers would play in the event. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had stated that the agents would be required to retreat at the first sign of hostility and that their role was simply to light and extinguish the torch as needed. On April 23, 2008, Chinese officials defied this statement and announced that agents would use physical force to defend the torch if necessary. In the end, television coverage captured Australian and Chinese security forces jostling for position, with Australian police physically pulling Chinese agents back from torch runners.-
Olympic Torch Canberra Questions
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Does the 2010 Olympic Torch look like a joint? 7 AnswersThis is a common joke here in Canada. B.C. is known throughout the world as the pot capital of Canada. It's sort of funny (in a pot leaf on a water tower sort o... read more -
Will Chicago get the Olympics in 2016? 3 AnswersNo. because Rio de Janeiro already was awarded the games. ... read more -
Is there a reason that the 2010 Olympic Torch looks like a blunt? 1 AnswerMy guess is that its because it was created on April 20, but I can't quite remember for some reason. read more
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