The Olympic torch is an icon of global harmony. But it has ignited protests that have spread from Britain to the San Francisco Bay, incinerating the international sporting spirit, and turning the traditional ceremony into a free-for-all for political road rage.

In Paris yesterday, the Olympic flame was doused five times ' a historic first ' and the long-planned rally cancelled almost as soon as it began. In London Sunday, police arrested 30 demonstrators and Beijing angrily condemned the protesters as "vile."

As the torch arrives in San Francisco around 7 p.m. (EDT) today, the flames of global harmony are already burning low.

Protesters including Richard Gere ' a fierce advocate of a free Tibet ' will be out in force to decry China's crackdown on demonstrators in the Himalayan territory, and police leave has been cancelled in anticipation of trouble.

By the time the torch is packed back on the plane after a 10-km relay along the San Francisco waterfront tomorrow, it will have run the gauntlet of opponents from China's repressed Falun Gong religious sect, to pro-Darfur groups angered by Beijing's dealings with the Sudanese government, and advocates of human rights in China.

The symbol of tolerance has also divided American politicians, with San Francisco's popular liberal Mayor Gavin Newsom slammed for supporting the torch's appearance in the city, and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi backing protesters' right to free expression.

The torch will almost certainly sputter in San Francisco, America's activist capital, and the only North American city on the 135-stop route that ends in Beijing in August.

Yesterday, three activists in helmets and harnesses were arrested after clambering about 50 metres up the Golden Gate Bridge and raising banners reading, "One World One Dream. Free Tibet."

Alex Taub, a 22-year-old student from Vancouver and an activist with Students for a Free Tibet, was one of four protesters helping the climbers when he was arrested.

Organizers of the climb said they wanted to take full advantage of the moment in the international spotlight to get their message out.

"This is a life-or-death situation for Tibetans," said Yangchen Lhamo, who is on the board of directors of Students for a Free Tibet.

The effect of the rallies, vigils and media events is the opposite of the warm and fuzzy ' and totally apolitical ' feeling that Beijing hoped to generate.

"We believe that (the torch relay) will receive the support of peace-loving people around the world and be a great success," says the official Chinese Olympic website.

Not so in Paris yesterday, when the 28-km torch run was abruptly cancelled. Five times, Chinese officials who guard the torch extinguished it and retreated to the safety of a bus ' the last time emerging only after the vehicle drove within 5 metres of the final stop.

Along the way, an activist "lunged" at the torchbearer near the Eiffel Tower shouting "freedom for the Chinese," as he was yanked back by security officials.

Near the Louvre museum, police blocked a protester who approached the flame with a fire extinguisher. Elsewhere, police sprayed tear gas to break up a sit-in by about 300 demonstrators who blocked the run.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has left open the possibility of boycotting the Olympic opening ceremonies, hinting that events in Tibet may be the deciding factor.

Earlier, British reporters declared the London landing of the torch a "flame-out" as police arrested 30 protesters, whom China denounced as "vile" and "disgusting."

"The act of defiance from this small group of people is not popular," said Sun Weide, a spokesperson for the Beijing Olympic organizing committee. "It will definitely be criticized by people who love peace and adore the Olympic spirit. Their attempt is doomed to failure.''

In both Britain and France, politicians, media and citizens exchanged scorching insults over the torch event. "If any lesson is to be learned from yesterday's fiasco on the streets of London, it is that politics should never be mixed with sport," argued Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins, urging an end to "chauvinistic" ceremonies that give undemocratic governments the chance to legitimize themselves through star-studded international events.

China insists only a "small number of pro-Tibet independence activists" have sabotaged the relays.
 

With files from Brett Popplewell and Associated Press

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