The Olympic flame heads for Beijing after Greece relay

Source: Xinhua | 03-30-2008 20:55

ATHENS, Greece, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Minoa Kyriakou, the president of Hellenic Olympic Committee, handed the Olympic flame over to Liu Qi, the president of BOCOG, at the Panathenan Stadiumon Sunday afternoon after the six-day torch relay in Greece wrapped up.

The flame is to arrive in Beijing on Monday, initiating the month-long international Olympic flame "journey of harmony" throughout the world.

The Olympic flame was handed over to Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2008 Olympic Games March 30, 2008.

The handover ceremony started at 3 p.m., four bannermen from China and Greece each carried the national flags into the Panathenian Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games was staged in 1896.

The national anthems was performed by Philharmonic Band of the City of Athens.

The priestesses, all wearing pleated white dresses and sandals, entered the Stadium to practice Greek ancient rituals. Chrysopigi Devetzi, the silver medallist of triple jump in 2004 Games, was honored to act as the last torchbearer of Greece relay, running into the Stadium holding the flame and lighted the altar.

"It's a great moment for us to transfer the Olympic flame to our Chinese friends in the wake of the Greece relay," said Kyriakou in ceremony speech.

"Greece, with truthful good-fellowship, hands the flame over to China. The follow-up international relay will spread the message of peace, cooperation and mutual respect.

"The Greek leg of torch relay brought inspiration, passion and emotion to people. As a symbol of Olympic flame, respect, pride and sticking by cause and value are bound with it."

Following the IOC anthem, three flame guards from China stepped up taking flame safety lantern and lighting stick.

The High Priestess Maria Nafpliotou kindled the torch from altar and passed it to HOC president Kyriakou, who handed it over to Liu Qi.

Liu showcased the flame and then preserved the flame in the lantern before quenching the flame.

"I like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Greek people. Thank you for you elaborating the arrangement for Olympic flame lighting, thank you for the hard work ensuring the successful torch relay in Greece, and thank you for your unswerving support for the Beijing Olympic Games," said Liu Qi, the BOCOG president.

"Tomorrow, the Olympic flame, brimming with friendship and nice wishes of Greek people, is heading for Beijing, reaching the Great Wall from its origin," said Liu.

"Full of Olympic spirit, the flaring flame is to traverse five continents, spreading the Chinese hospitality and friendship to the world.

"The Olympic spirit of peace, respect and friendship is set to be rooted in China. The ideal of Olympic movement will prevail as the flame reaches the summit of Mt. Qomolangma."