Olympic torch relay starts in Qingdao

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Source: CCTV.com | 07-21-2008 08:50

The Olympic torch relay has begun in the coastal city of Qingdao, the first stop in East China's Shandong Province.

The Olympic torch relay has begun in the coastal city  of Qingdao, the first stop in East China's Shandong  Province.

Today's relay starts from the Olympic Sailing Center and will take three and a half hours. 259 torchbearers are participating in the 14.5 kilometer relay. Qingdao is an Olympic co-host city. The torch will travel by boat across part of Qingdao's Olympic sailing course, before ending at the city's beach.

The relay gives Qingdao a chance to showcase its cultural heritage, sailing tradition, economic development and clean environment. This is the first time the torch relay has taken to the sea since it began its tour of the Chinese mainland. After Qingdao, the Olympic flame will go to Linyi city this afternoon.