PARIS – Paris’ Olympic torch relay descended into chaos Monday, with protesters scaling the Eiffel Tower, grabbing for the flame and forcing security officials to repeatedly snuff out the torch and transport it by bus past demonstrators yelling “Free Tibet!”The relentless anti-Chinese demonstrations ignited across the capital with unexpected power and ingenuity, foiling 3,000 police officers deployed on motorcycles, in jogging gear and even inline skates.Chinese organizers finally gave up on the relay, canceling the last third of what China had hoped would be a joyous jog by torch-bearing VIPs past some of Paris’ most famous landmarks.In light of the disruptions, Kevan Gosper, head of the International Olympic Committee press commission, said he has always opposed such an extensive international route and that the IOC may consider doing away with the international route in future Games.Thousands of protesters slowed the relay to a stop-start crawl, with impassioned displays of anger over China’s human rights record, its grip on Tibet and support for Sudan despite years of bloodshed in Darfur.Five times, the Chinese officials in dark glasses and tracksuits who guard the torch extinguished it and retreated to the safety of a bus – the last time emerging only after the vehicle drove within 15 feet of the final stop, a track and field stadium. A torchbearer then ran the final steps.Outside, a few French activists supporting Tibet had a fistfight with pro-Chinese demonstrators. The French activists spat on them and shouted, “Fascists!”A spokesman for the French Olympic Committee, Denis Masseglia, estimated that a third of the 80 athletes and other VIPs who had been slated to carry the torch did not get to do so. The Interior Ministry said police made 18 arrests.In San Francisco, where the torch is to arrive Wednesday, three protesters wearing harnesses and helmets climbed up the Golden Gate Bridge and tied the Tibetan flag and two banners to its cables. The banners read “One World One Dream. Free Tibet” and “Free Tibet.”China today condemned protests as “despicable,” blaming them on groups seeking to split Tibet from the country.French President Nicolas Sarkozy has left open the possibility of boycotting the Olympic opening ceremony depending on how the situation evolves in Tibet. Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Monday that was still the case.

TORCH ROUTE

The 85,000-mile route of the Olympic torch began in Ancient Olympia in Greece and will end at the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Olympics. The round-the-world trip is the longest in Olympic history. The relay also is expected to face demonstrations in New Delhi and possibly elsewhere on its 21-stop, six-continent tour before arriving in mainland China May 4.

CALL FOR BOYCOTT

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday called on President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics over China’s clampdown in Tibet and its support of Sudan’s leadership. Clinton isn’t backing calls for a complete boycott of the Games, however. Bush has said he will attend the Olympics because it’s an athletic competition, not a political event.NEWS SERVICES

Police officers apprehended a demonstrator as he tried to interrupt the Olympic torch parade Monday in Paris. The Chinese officials who guard the torch extinguished it and retreated to the safety of a bus five times. Photo by (AP)