The Beijing leg of the Athens 2004 Olympic torch relay ended in
fanfare Wednesday, ahead of its departure for New Delhi
Thursday.
The relay started its trek through the city at Tian'anmen Square
Wednesday morning.
Yu Zaiqing, member of?the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) and vice president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, received
the Olympic flame from Li Changchun, a member of the Standing
Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party
Central Committee.
Li lit Yu's torch with fire from a lantern brought to Beijing
aboard a Greek-chartered plane on Tuesday.
Then, State Councillor Chen Zhili fired the starting gun. At
9:30 am Yu, as the first torchbearer, began his journey of about
400 metres to kick off the long-awaited torch relay in the Chinese
capital.
Liu Qi, president of Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games
of the XXIX Olympiad, delivered a speech at the starting ceremony
in front of the Great Hall of the People in the heart of
Beijing.
"The Olympic flame will sow the seeds of peace, friendship and
progress in the hearts of the Chinese people, especially among the
youth," said Liu. "It will continue to inspire us as Beijing
prepares for the 2008 Olympic Games."
Along the relay route, the flame was passed from torch to torch
in a 55-kilometer-long marathon, zigzagging through a host of icons
of modern and historic Beijing which showcased the city's
resplendent culture as well as its metropolitan charm.
"When we pass the torch nearer to Athens, we are expressing our
sincere hope for a successful Athens Olympic Games," said the first
torchbearer Yu. "I hope Chinese athletes will perform well at the
Athens Olympic Games in August."
Chinese basketball player Yao Ming, who was selected by the
Chinese Olympic Committee, was the last torchbearer to run. The
climax came when Yao ignited a ceremonial cauldron in the Summer
Palace, the end of the relay, where a gala show was held to
conclude the two-day event.
Andrew Dunscomb, Athol press chief, Wednesday sang high praise
for the organization of torch relay in Beijing and residents'
participation.
"It is pretty good," he said after the whole procedure was
completed. "It is even unbelievable that so many people took part
in the torch relay. Wherever the torch goes, there are many people
around it. It is great."
(China Daily June 10, 2004)