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Controversial: Chinese torch relay security officials in Dar es Salaam (Reuters: Radu Sigheti)
The head of the ACT Olympic torch relay says six Chinese flame attendants will accompany the torch when it makes its way through Canberra next week, but they will not provide security.
The presence of blue-tracksuited Chinese guards - dubbed "thugs" by London Olympic chief Sebastian Coe - has been the subject of controversy after widespread pro-Tibet protests on relay legs in Europe, the US and India.
Earlier this week International Olympic Committee member Kevan Gosper said the guards would travel behind the flame in a bus and could be called on to help if protests got out of hand.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd quickly rebuffed Mr Gosper, repeating his earlier pledge that the guards would not be allowed to provide security in Canberra on April 24.
Now torch relay boss Ted Quinlan has confirmed that two teams of three Chinese flame attendants will take turns to accompany the torch during the 16-kilometre event.
Their role will be to relight the torch at the start of each leg and not to provide security.
Mr Quinlan says the the torch will change hands and need to be relit every 250 metres along the route and this is the most efficient way to do it.
But Mr Quinlan says security will be provided by the Australian Federal Police.
"The arrangements we have come to with the Chinese are that these people will not involve themselves in security," he said.
"When and if push comes to shove, these people are required by our arrangement to stay out of any fracas and retreat to the support bus behind them."
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