There were scores of critical questions posed to the organisers on Friday dealing with touchy topics such as Tibet, protest parks, ticket scalpers, the hissing of Japanese competitors by Chinese audiences, the Falun Gong and doping. Journalists have previously accused the organisers of lying and refusing to answer questions.

The protesters abseiled down the front of the building and hung a banner reading “Free Tibet” in Chinese and English. Chinese security officers tried to stop journalists from filming the event.

Uniformed police pounced on John Ray, the China correspondent for Independent Television News (ITN), shortly after the ‘Students for a Free Tibet’ group unfurled the protest banner, the reporter and another ITN staff member said. Mr. Ray was released a short time later, but without his equipment.

In June, I sat down for a private meeting with the Dalai Lama, and we talked at length about what kind of a deal he and China might be willing to accept. He was far more flexible and pragmatic about a resolution of the Tibet question than public statements had led me to believe.

The suit was admitted under the principle of “universal competence” adopted by the Spanish judiciary in 2005 and under which Spanish courts can hear cases of genocide and crimes against humanity wherever they occur and whatever the nationality of the defendant.

International Olympics Committee president Jacques Rogge said he expected some form of protest by athletes given the contentious nature of China’s human rights record and policies. The IOC was “not worried”, Dr Rogge said, because he felt confident “athletes will have common sense”.