Canberra torch relay route released

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I will go to Canberra to support China 2008 Olympic Torch Relay this Thursday, hope to see you guys there

Canberra torch relay route released

Organisers of the Olympic torch relay in Canberra say torchbearers will stick to main roads when the relay is run this Thursday.

The route of the relay has been released, showing the torch will pass major Canberra landmarks including the Australian War Memorial and Parliament House.

Relay organisers were forced to alter the original route after pro-Tibet protestors caused havoc in torch relays overseas.

Relay organiser Ted Quinlan says he is disappointed the torch will not travel through Civic or the Parliamentary triangle.

But he says security is a priority.

"Those streets don't lend themselves to a very secure torch relay," he said.

"By overseas experience it's obvious that we have to do something about making sure that we can keep the full convoy secure all of the way, every metre."

Mr Quinlan says the torch will travel near the Chinese embassy but he does not think it will be a security issue.

"We will be travelling straight down Commonwealth Avenue because it's one of our wider avenues," he said.

"It's a coincidence that the embassy's a couple of blocks away but we will be just going straight up Commonwealth Avenue."