Special report:   2008 Olympic Games

    BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Related countries and regions should step up efforts to protect the Olympic torch relay and the bearers, said delegates to the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) here on Tuesday.

    The 16th ANOC General Assembly, which focuses on the preparation of Beijing Olympics, started on Monday and run through April 9.

    "The torch belongs to the Olympic committee," said Bangladesh delegate Kutubuddin Ahmed. "It should not be disrupted by whatsoever reason."

    The Olympic torch relay has been repeatedly disrupted by Tibetan separatists and their supporters who tried to grab the torch or block the relay route.

    "The torch is the symbol of the Olympics and sports should be separated from politics," he said. "In a word, Olympics should not be manipulated."

    "Every country and region on route should make it safe for the torch and the bearers or it would be a shame for the Olympics, which is a pure sports event," said Egyptian delegate Khaled Eldin.

    "I think the countries and regions should enhance protection for the torch relay and avoid such embarrassing events," he added.

    "The disruptions should not happen at all," said Indian delegate Sardar Khan. "Authorities in the related countries and regions should make better preparations."

    "Of course we should condemn any disruption on the torch relay," said Kuwaiti delegate Ali Husain. "After all, the torch belongs to the Olympics and Olympics belongs to sports."

    ANOC affiliates the national Olympic committees (NOCs) recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). There are205 NOCs to date, according to ANOC's official website.