London Olympic torch will not tour world

LONDON, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- British officials say the 2012 Olympics in London won't need a world torch relay tour, and possible repeat of protests that plagued China.

The Olympic flame will be carried around Britain, however, with organizers also promising a series of buildup events before the official July 27, 2012, Opening Ceremony, The Times of London reported Sunday.

British Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell told the Sunday Times she had "a lot of enthusiasm" for the torch being taken through interested "villages, towns and cities in the UK. ..."There would be no more powerful way of making them feel part of the Olympics, would there?"

The London Olympics will be much more intimate the Beijing Games, Jowell said. She also pledged venues would be filled and every Londoner given a chance to attend an event.

Jowell also said Games organizers have cut nearly $3 billion in costs by simplifying the designs for the main stadium and aquatic center, and reducing Olympic Park size. She insisted the total cost to taxpayers would not rise above the approximately $18 billion budget.

"There's no more money. None from the taxpayer, none from the lottery, none from the government," Jowell said.