Torch Relay: Around the world in 33 days

(BEIJING, May 3) – The 33-day “Journey of Harmony,” the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay outside the mainland of China, came to an end on May 3 when the chartered plane carrying the flame arrived in Sanya, Hainan, at 10:25 p.m. in advance of the start of the domestic torch relay.

Since April 1, the Beijing Olympic flame has traveled 100,000 kilometers as a messenger of peace and friendship, visiting 21 cities in 20 countries en route.

The Olympic flame warmed hearts and lit up faces wherever it traveled, in spite of attempts to cause disturbance to the relay by a small number of people in Istanbul, London, Paris, Canberra, Nagano and Seoul. In Paris, Chinese wheelchair athlete Jin Jing proved to be a “Smiling Angel in a Wheelchair” when she protected the torch from a “pro-Tibet independence” activist who attempted to grab the torch from her.

Torchbearers and escort runners wore proud smiles as they enabled people around the world to see the Olympic torch in person. Chinese from near and far traveled to the different torch relay cities to show their support. The passion of the peace-loving people of the world demonstrated that no amount of disturbance would dim the light of the Olympic flame.

After traveling for 33 days, with Hong Kong and Macao as the last two stops of the relay outside the mainland of China, the Beijing Olympic torch is ready to begin the torch relay on the mainland of China on May 4.

The torch will have traveled to 113 cities and regions on the mainland of China and also ascended Mt. Qomolangma, the world’s highest peak, before it returns to Beijing on August 6 to start a three-day relay in the Chinese capital.