Assaults and attacks on the Olympic torch are unacceptable, said International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge in Beijing on Thursday.

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.

Rogge told a news conference that he felt sad about the disruptions and what shocked him most was the violence against disabled torch bearers.

The disabled bearers are defenseless and violence against them is unacceptable, said Rogge, adding that the attacks and assaults would have bad influence on children.

Despite the disruptions, Rogge stressed that the torch relay must go on and he had no doubt that Beijing would hold a magnificent Games.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2008)