BEIJING - The International Olympic Committee said Tuesday it will consider the future of the remaining portion of the international leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay as a result of anti-Chinese protests that have dogged the event.

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"This is something that obviously has to be discussed by the executive board," IOC President Jacques Rogge told The Associated Press.

Rogge said the rule-making board would consider the options on Friday.

Asked whether the continuation of the international relay was certain, he said: "I'm not saying whether it is certain or not. There will be a discussion of the executive board on the torch relay but I attach on that absolutely no speculation whatsoever."

IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies emphasized that no decision had been made to cancel the relay.

"As we speak today, the IOC expects the relay to follow its course as planned and there has been no official discussion to the contrary," she said.

Largely seen as a public relations event, the relay has backfired for its three major corporate sponsors, Lenovo, Samsung and Coca-Cola. The three are reported to be spending a total of US$30 million to US$40 million (�19 million to �25 million) for sponsorship rights.

The torch relay has been disrupted in Greece, Istanbul, London and Paris by protesters opposed to China's policies in Tibet and its long-criticized human rights record. More problems are expected Wednesday in San Francisco, the only North American leg.

The relay has turned into a public relations disaster for the IOC and China's Communist government, which had hoped the Aug. 8-24 Olympics would showcase an open, modern country. It is the latest in a series of problems surrounding the games including Beijing's choking air pollution.

"I'm definitely concerned about what has happened in London and in Paris," Rogge said. "I'm deeply saddened by the fact that such an important symbol has been attacked. We recognize the right for people to protest and express their views but it should be nonviolent. We are very sad for all the athletes and the people who expected so much from the run and have been spoiled of their joy."

Though he said he opposed suspending the international relay, IOC Vice President Thomas Bach said the IOC might consider it.

"I believe we might have the discussion, but we shouldn't let the violence determine our actions," Bach said.

On Monday, organizers were forced to cancel the last third of the Paris route after demonstrators hurled water at the flame and lunged at torchbearers. The security detail protecting the torch had to repeatedly extinguish it along the route and retreat to the safety of a bus, although the Olympic flame continually burns in a lantern brought along the route.

After San Francisco, the torch is scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and then to a dozen other countries before entering mainland China on May 4 for the domestic portion of the relay.

The concept of an international relay began with the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and has now expanded to 21 cities outside mainland China for the Beijing Olympics.

Kevan Gosper, an International Olympic Committee member from Australia, said he had always opposed such an extensive international route.

"The decision was made," Gosper said. "I think events in Tibet have of course stirred the potential for protest. I'm a firm believer that we had the right template in the first place, that the torch simply should go from Olympia, Greece, to the host country."

"I would expect that the Olympic committee will review that template," Gosper added.

The IOC is holding its last official meetings in the Chinese capital this week with organizers of the Beijing games.

IOC member Alex Gilady of Israel said the committee had discussed ending the international relay after Beijing and that it would likely come up again.

Swedish IOC member Gunilla Lindberg said the protests surrounding the torch relay were "damaging the Olympic movement."

"I think it is very sad. I get angry," Lindberg said. "Using the torch this way is almost a crime. This is the property of the IOC, it is not a Chinese torch."

China's Foreign Ministry blamed the disruptions on groups seeking to split the far western region of Tibet from the rest of China.

Sun Weide, a spokesman for the Beijing organizing committee, said the relay was "sabotaged" by Tibetan separatists and called the demonstrations "blasphemy" against the Olympic spirit.