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ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece — Even before the Olympic flame was lit Monday, a protester of China's human-rights policies disrupted the solemn ceremony, foreshadowing the prospect of demonstrations throughout the 85,000-mile torch-relay route right up to the Beijing Games themselves.

Forecasts of clouds and rain had been considered the main threat to the pomp-filled torch-lighting. But in the end, while the sun sparked the flame to life, it was the protesters who turned the joyful bow to the Olympics' roots into a political statement about China's crackdown in Tibet and other rights issues.

Three men advocating press freedom evaded massive security and ran onto the field at the ceremony in Ancient Olympia before they were seized by police. Minutes later, a Tibetan woman covered in fake blood briefly blocked the path of the torch relay.

The incidents came after International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge told The Associated Press in an interview that he was engaged in "silent diplomacy" with the Chinese but wouldn't intervene in politics to try to change their policies.

SAN FRANCISCO — The first trial in the sports and steroids case known as BALCO is under way with former elite cyclist Tammy Thomas facing perjury and obstruction of justice charges.

Federal prosecutors told the jury Monday that Thomas lied in a 2003 appearance before the grand jury investigating BALCO — officially known as the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative.

Prosecutors say she lied about her relationship with chemist Patrick Arnold, who created a designer steroid that Thomas and slugger Barry Bonds are accused of taking.

The case is being closely watched by Bonds' attorneys as a likely preview of how prosecutors will handle the Bonds case. He faces nearly identical charges.

The Arizona Wildcats men's team is tied for sixth place with Pepperdine after the second round of the National Invitational Tournament at Tucson National.

The Wildcats shot a 290 and finished 8 over and trail TCU, which is 11 under.

Creighton Honeck leads the UA team in the individual standings at 2 under (142). Trey Denton is 1 under, the only other UA golfer under par.

The final round will be played today.

Jared McDonald of the Pima College baseball team was named ACCAC player of the week on Monday, while teammate Rene Garcia was co-pitcher of the week. McDonald hit .705 last week, and Garcia tossed a two-hit shutout against No. 9 Yavapai College.

● The 49ers forfeited their fifth-round pick in the NFL draft on Monday after commissioner Roger Goodell deemed them guilty of tampering with Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs, a former Wildcat.