In photos: 'USA Olympic Torch Relay'

Olympic torch runners Ed Lee (L), a San Francisco city administrator and Andrea Vincent (R) begin the torch relay on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco, in San Francisco, California, USA, inside of a police line on Van Ness Avenue on 9 April 2008 during the Olympic Torch Relay. Just before the relay began, the torch was rerouted about a mile away from pro-Tibet demonstrators and spectators. Officials said they changed the path because of security concerns. EPA/GEORGE NIKITIN - POOL

Crowds of people wave their flags during the running of the olympic torch through San Francisco streets in San Francisco, California, USA, 09 April 2008. The Olympic torch relay was the only stop in North America -- en route to Beijing, where the Summer Olympics will be held in August. EPA/MONICA M. DAVEY

A man wraps up a Chinese flag before A T & T Park after the Beijing Olympic torch relay went on another route in San Francisco, California, USA 09 April 2008. San Francisco is the only North American stop on the worldwide 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in advance of the Games in Beijing, China. EPA/ARLEEN NG

Eric Zhang (L) of Millbrae, California and his sister Yiming Zhang (R) of San Francisco, California wrap up their flags after the Beijing Olympic torch relay went on another route in San Francisco, California, USA 09 April 2008. San Francisco is the only North American stop on the worldwide 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in advance of the Games in Beijing, China. EPA/ARLEEN NG

Wu Liu of Palo Alto, California removes a welcoming sign after the Beijing Olympic torch relay went on another route in San Francisco, California, USA 09 April 2008. San Francisco is the only North American stop on the worldwide 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in advance of the Games in Beijing, China. EPA/ARLEEN NG

Sofia Salcedo 2 1/2 and her mother Salcedo, tourists from San Diego, sit on the curb along the route where the running of the olympic torch was supposed to go in San Francisco, California, 09 April 2008. The Olympic torch relay was the only stop in North America -- en route to Beijing, where the Summer Olympics will be held in August. EPA/MONICA M. DAVEY

A protest sign was left on an empty street on the Embarcadero after the Beijing Olympic torch relay went on another route in San Francisco, California, USA, 09 April 2008. San Francisco is the only North American stop on the worldwide 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in advance of the Games in Beijing, China. EPA/ARLEEN NG

Olympic torch bearers wave to spectators in San Francisco, California, USA, inside of a police cordon on Van Ness Avenue on 9 April 2008 during the Olympic Torch Relay. Just before the relay began, the torch was rerouted about a mile away from pro-Tibet demonstrators and spectators. Officials said they changed the path because of security concerns. EPA/GEORGE NIKITIN - POOL

Pro-Tibet demonstrators and pro-China protesters walk up the Embarcadero during the running of the olympic torch through San Francisco streets in San Francisco, California, USA, 09 April 2008. The Olympic torch relay was the only stop in North America -- en route to Beijing, where the Summer Olympics will be held in August. EPA/MONICA M. DAVEY

A pro-Tibet demonstrator (rt) yells at pro-China protesters during the running of the olympic torch through San Francisco streets in San Francisco, California, USA, 09 April 2008. The Olympic torch relay was the only stop in North America -- en route to Beijing, where the Summer Olympics will be held in August. EPA/MONICA M. DAVEY

Chinese swimmer Lin Li waves to the crowd for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in San Francisco, California, USA, 09 April 2008. San Francisco is the only North American stop on the worldwide 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in advance of the Games in Beijing, China. EPA/ARLEEN NG

A monk leads demonstrators in protest against China's treatment of Tibet prior to the unveiling of the Olympic torch along the wharf in San Francisco, California, USA on 09 April 2008. Demonstrations which followed the torch in France and the UK disrupted the torch's progress and San Francisco officials increased security to prevent violence. EPA/SEAN MASTERSON

Pro-Tibet demonstrators walk up the Embarcadero during the running of the olympic torch through San Francisco streets in San Francisco, California, USA, 09 April 2008. The Olympic torch relay was the only stop in North America -- en route to Beijing, where the Summer Olympics will be held in August. EPA/MONICA M. DAVEY

Supporters of China chant slogans along the original route the Olympic torch was to take down the wharf in San Francisco, California, USA on 09 April 2008. Thousands of protesters forced officials to re-route the relay. Demonstrations which followed the torch in France and the UK disrupted the torch's progress and San Francisco officials increased security to prevent violence. EPA/SEAN MASTERSON

San Francisco's Mayor Gavin Newsom (3rd-R dressed in suit) listens to police officials before the start of the Olympic Torch Relay, San Francisco, California, USA on 09 April 2008. Just before the relay began, the torch was rerouted about a mile away from pro-Tibet demonstrators and spectators. Officials said they changed the path because of security concerns. EPA/CARLOS AVILA GONZALEZ - POOL - NO SALES - MAGS OUT

A torch bearer prepares to take the Olympic torch in San Francisco, California, USA, on 9 April 2008 during the Olympic Torch Relay. Just before the relay began, the torch was rerouted about a mile away from pro-Tibet demonstrators and spectators. Officials said they changed the path because of security concerns. EPA/CARLOS AVILA GONZALEZ - POOL - NO SALES - MAGS OUT

Chinese swimmer Lin Li runs along with tight security after the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in San Francisco, California, USA, 09 April 2008. San Francisco is the only North American stop on the worldwide 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in advance of the Games in Beijing, China. EPA/ARLEEN NG