Security tightens as San Francisco begins torch relay

Associated Press

Updated: April 9, 2008, 4:39 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Olympic torch relay has begun its trip through the city.

At the opening ceremony preceding Wednesday afternoon's relay, the first torchbearer took the flame from a lantern brought to the stage and held it aloft before quickly departing again behind the scenes.

Shortly before it began, San Francisco officials cut the original six-mile route nearly in half. The flame's only North American stop has drawn thousands of demonstrators gathered to praise and condemn China during the flame's journey to Beijing.

Authorities did not offer an immediate explanation for the change, but city officials had warned they might truncate the route at the last minute for security reasons