Paris - The International Olympic Committee has got rid of the international Olympic torch relay after last year’s was dogged by protests.

According to the BBC website, IOC executive director Gilbert Felli said the decision to scrap the international relay had been taken after the first relay for the Athens Olympics in 2004.

“We came to the conclusion it was easier for the torch to stay inside the (host) country,” he said.

“There were difficulties with the NOCs (National Olympic Committees), and we also saw the risk with a torch relay going around the world.

“Beijing had planned an international torch relay and we accepted it. We saw in the debrief that the risk was there and the IOC decided not to do it (again).

“I think when the torch relay is inside the host country there is more control.”