The story

India's soccer captain, a Buddhist from an Indian region with ancient ties to Tibet, said on Tuesday that he won't carry the Beijing Olympic torch during its run through the Indian capital in protest over China's crackdown on recent protests in Tibet.

Bhaichung Bhutia, who hails from the tiny Himalayan region of Sikkim, is reported to be the first athlete to refuse the honor of carrying the torch because of the Tibet crackdown. A Thai torchbearer also withdrew from the relay last month for similar reasons.

"I strongly denounce the repression and torture unleashed by the Chinese authorities in Tibet," Bhutia told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Read full article »

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.