Source: CCTV.com

04-27-2007 08:22

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

The design of Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch is unveiled on April 26, 2007 in Beijing. (Photo:BOCOG)

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay Planned Route and The Torch Design have finally been unveiled at a ceremony held at the China Millennium Monument Thursday evening.

The Olympic flame will be carried on "Clouds of Promise."

And its journey across the continents will share China's Olympic dreams with the world.

As a primary symbol of the Olympic Games, the torch design emphasizes the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship. The classic Chinese elements of paper, clouds and traditional Chinese red also embody the idea of a harmonious world.

Chief designer Yao Yingjia explains why clouds play such a prominent part in the torch's appearance.

Yao Yingjia, Beijing Olympic Torch Designer, said, "Cloud, for Chinese, you know, means coming together, floating and creating some new things. That is very similar to the Olympic theme - people come together, sharing the happiness together."

IOC President Jacque Rogge said, "The magnificent design of the torch for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch relay will also add a very unique Chinese flavors to the relay, as the 'Clouds of Promise' carry the Beijing Games' message to the world."

The Beijing Olympic Flame will travel the historic "Silk Road". As it crosses the globe it will pass through 22 cities on five continents and 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities on the Chinese mainland.

The flame will also be carried to the world's highest peak -- Mount Qomolangma. Its journey will cover 137 thousand kilometers, passing through the hands of more than 20 thousand torchbearers.

When it returns to Beijing for the games opening ceremony in 2008, the world will be watching and waiting to see what China can achieve through hosting the Games.

Olympic Champion Gao Min and the representatives from the provinces that the torch will pass through expressed their excitement.

Former Olympic champion Gao Min said, "I'm quite excited that the Olympic torch will pass my hometown."

Pang Yi, Hebei Province representative, said, " What we are going to do next is to plan the schedule of the torch relay in Hebei Province. This is quite a detailed job. We are to fully demonstrate Hebei's best scenery, economy and people's enthusiasm in welcoming the Olympics through this opportunity."

The Torch Relay Planned Route and the Torch Design are two significant steps toward the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The magnificent design of the torch adds a uniquely Chinese flavor, and the Beijing 2008 Torch Relay promises to be a "Journey of Harmony" that will be remembered for a long time to come.

 

Editor:Liu Fang