While police won't provide details about security, protest groups from around the country are planning demonstrations during Wednesday's relay along San Francisco's waterfront — the only North America stop in the 85,000-mile journey from Greece to Beijing, where the Games open Aug. 8.

"We treated it like a head of state visit," San Francisco airport spokesman Mike McCaron said of the flame's arrival at 4 a.m.

No protestors were seen at the airport.

Already, one runner who planned to carry the flame during the San Francisco relay dropped out because of safety concerns, San Francisco Olympic Torch Relay Committee spokesman David Perry said.

The person was not identified, but Perry said he understood the concern.

Meantime in Beijing, the head of the International Olympic Committee, Jacque Rogge, backtracked from comments that a cancellation of the pre-China portion of the torch relay was under consideration.

"There is no discussion about canceling any leg," Rogge told the Wall Street Journal. He said earlier reports "were based on misunderstanding."

"What we will do, as we should do, is study the torch relay so far," he added.

The story about possibly ending the international relay surfaced in remarks Rogge made to the Associated Press.

"This is something that obviously has to be discussed by the executive board," Rogge told the wire service, adding his group would consider options on Friday.

Asked whether the continuation of the relay was certain, Rogge said: "I'm not saying whether it is certain or not. There will be a discussion of the executive board on the torch relay but I attach on that absolutely no speculation whatsoever," according to the AP.

On Monday, three people climbed the Golden Gate Bridge and tied the Tibetan flag and two banners to its cables. The banners read "One World One Dream. Free Tibet," and "Free Tibet 08."

Also Monday, chaotic demonstrations in Paris forced security officials to snuff out the torch five times and cancel the final run of the relay through the city. Protesters scaled the Eiffel Tower, repeatedly grabbed for the flame and yelled, "Free Tibet."

Never before has the torch, a symbol of international harmony, been transformed into a political baton.

China is the focus of several protests, including independence of Chinese-run Tibet and China's overall human rights record.

In San Francisco, 10,000 people will welcome the torch along the route, said Chark Lui, spokesman for the Chinese American Association of Commerce. "I hope that the whole thing can go peacefully," Lui said.

The torch won't be displayed until Wednesday's relay, which is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. PT at McCovey Cove next to AT&T Park. Tibet supporter and actor Richard Gere, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Tibetan leaders plan to attend a candlelight vigil Tuesday night.

Earlier, Rogge said violent protests are not "compatible with the values of the torch relay or the Olympic Games."

U.S. Olympic Committee head Peter Ueberroth said protesters "have a right to peacefully assemble and express their point of view."

Ueberroth also told the AP in a statement that the event was "an important moment for the city to show its character, hospitality and commitment to peace and tolerance."

Olympic historian David Wallechinsky said major protests against the torch relay are "unprecedented."

The protests began March 25 with the traditional lighting of the torch in Greece.

Sun Weide, spokesman for the Beijing Organizing Committee, said: "We strongly condemn the handful of Tibetan separatists behind this. No force can stop the torch relay."

The Golden Gate climbers, who wore helmets and harnesses as they made their way above the famed span, were suspended about 150 feet above traffic. They later climbed down and bridge workers cut down the signs.

In all, seven people were charged with conspiracy and causing a public nuisance, with the three climbers facing additional charges of trespassing, said Mary Ziegenbien, a spokeswoman with the California Highway Patrol.

After San Francisco, the torch is scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires, and then to a dozen other countries. It is scheduled to enter mainland China on May 4.

***

Lloyd reported from Beijing. Contributing: Jeffery Stinson in London, Vicki Michaelis in Denver and the Associated Press

Enlarge By Paul Sakuma, AP A crowd watches as protesters tie Tibetan flags and two banners to the cables of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The torch, which arrived in the U.S. on Tuesday, won't be displayed until Wednesday.

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