Torch relay concludes in Xiamen

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-12-2008 19:09

The Olympic flame continued its journey in eastern China's Fujian province today. It toured two cities - Quanzhou in the morning and Xiamen in the afternoon.

Olympic badminton gold medalist Ji Xinpeng is the last torchbearer of Xiamen leg. He lights the cauldron with the flame at Xiamen Sports center.

Xiamen is the third stop of the torch relay in Fujian Province. The relay kicked off at the city's International Conference and Exhibition Center at two o'clock on Monday afternoon.

Former table tennis world champion Guo Yuehua was the first torchbearer to start the 17-kilometer route. A total of 100 torchbearers took part, while tens of thousands of local residents lined the streets, cheering for the Summer Olympic Games.

Dubbed the "harmonious route", the relay passed through a number of renowned scenic spots including Gulangyu Island, Yundang Lake and Egret Park.

Olympic badminton gold medalist Ji Xinpeng was the last torchbearer of this leg. He lit the cauldron with the flame at Xiamen Sports center.

Before moving to Xiamen, the flame was paraded through the city of Quanzhou in the morning.

The Quanzhou leg of the relay started outside a museum for Fujian-Taiwan historical ties.

The first torch bearer there was Wang Jiasheng, a veteran track and field coach who was also an excellent athlete.

Wang Jiasheng, one torch bearer said "I was so excited to be the first one to run today. I'm also greatly honored to be able to spread the Olympic spirit of peace and friendship on behalf of 7 million people in Quanzhou."

During the three-hour relay, 108 torchbearers ran through the 20-kilometer route, with the theme "a journey through history".

In ancient times, Quanzhou was known as the start point of the "silk road on the sea". It's home to the world's first UNESCO-designated "Demonstration Center of Diversified Cultures". The city is also the hometown of over 7 million overseas Chinese scattered around the world.

Tomorrow, the torch relay will start its fourth and last leg in Fujian province in Longyan.

Editor:Xiong Qu