Oman: Only Arab country hosting torch relay

Source: CCTV.com | 04-14-2008 13:10

The Oman capital of Muscat is the ninth leg of the 19 city tour outside China for the sacred Olympic flame. The Olympic torch relay will get underway in the city steeped in Arab tradition -- just about ten hours from now.

The Beijing Olympic logo, prominently displayed on the uniforms of all torch runners -- has become a big hit.

"Oman is the only Arab country that hosts the torch relay. I'm so glad to be one of women to be the torch bearer."

This is the first Olympic torch relay in Muscat -- the first city to request the honor of hosting the sacred tradition of passing on the Olympic Flame of the Beijing Games.

The torch will travel 20 kilometers through the ancient city of Muscat along a path tracing the country's long friendship with China.

The starting point of the Olympic torch relay will be Bustan Palace. That's where a replica of an ancient ship that made a 8-month voyage of friendship to China in 1981 has been put on symbolic display. The ship traced the voyage of the mythical adventurer Sinbad to the southeast China harbor city of Guangzhou.

Editor:Zhang Ning