Highlights of Olympic torch´s global journey

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-30-2008 13:56

The Beijing Olympic flame was lit in Greece in a traditional sun-ray ceremony on March 24th at the Temple of Hera in ancient Olympia.

The lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece>>

The Beijing Olympic flame was lit in Greece in a traditional sun-ray ceremony on March 24th at the Temple of Hera in ancient Olympia.

Olympic flame handover ceremony>>

After a 6-day journey though Greece, the Olympic flame was officially handed over to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, or BOCOG, on March 30th.

The flame welcome ceremony in Beijing>>

The next day, a grand ceremony took place in Tiananmen Square to welcome the flame. President Hu Jintao lit the cauldron and handed the torch to Olympic hurdling champion Liu Xiang marking the start of the international and domestic torch relay.

The flame then travelled along the ancient Silk Road from Asia to Europe.

Its first stop was Almaty in Kazakhstan. During its 7-hour relay through the city, it was carried by torchbearers who skied, travelled by motorbike or on horseback.

Then the torch continued its world tour visiting Istanbul, St. Petersburg, London, Paris, San Francisco and Buenos Aires.

Although many people cheered for the Beijing Olympic Games, pro-Tibet separatists attempted to disrupt the torch relays in London, Paris and San Francisco.