Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

Five torchbearers light the cauldron together in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, on April 22, 2008. Jakarta is the 14th stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    JAKARTA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The 14th leg of the global Olympic flame journey was concluded without major disruptions in Jakarta at 15:50 local time (08:50 GMT) Tuesday as scheduled.

    State Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Adhyaksa Dault, accompanied by Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik, National Olympic Committee President Rita Subowo and Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lan Lijun kindled the Olympic cauldron with the sacred Olympic flame at the western section of the Bung Karno Sports Complex to mark the culmination of the Jakarta event.

Torchbearer Taufik Hidayat, Olympic badminton champion, runs with the torch in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, on April 22, 2008. Jakarta is the 14th stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Rita Subowo said: "The Olympic torch is here for the first time in our city of Jakarta. We are very proud to be part of this unique celebration. As from today, or city will forever be a part of the history of the Olympic Games.

    "The Beijing Games will be a great celebration. They will not only be a moment of sporting excellence, but also moment for the peoples of China and the world to learn and discover each others' culture, to exchange and share the strength and power of the Olympic values," she said.

    Thousands of people, including many high school students and Chinese expatriates, have joined the parade on the streets heading to and inside the venue with high enthusiasm, chanting supports for the Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lan Lijun runs with the torch in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, on April 22, 2008. Jakarta is the 14th stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Nearby high-rise buildings spread large banners that read: "Indonesia Supports the Beijing Olympic Games."

    High security profile was in place to prevent major disruptions, with some 2,500 security personnel deployed to safeguard the historical event for Indonesia.

Jiang Xiaoyu, vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games, addresses the celebrating ceremony of the Olympic torch relay in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, on April 22, 2008. Jakarta is the 14th stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Jiang Xiaoyu, vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games (BOCOG), said: "Today the Olympic flame has arrived at Jakarta for the first time in history, and Jakarta has showcased itself to the rest of the world. We are deeply impressed by the city's kindness, by the organizers' excellent arrangement."

    "Allow me to extend, on behalf of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games, our sincere thank and best regard to the Indonesian government, the provincial government of Jakarta, the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia and the Indonesian people."

    The whole ceremony lasted about two hours, opened with Indonesian traditional dancing and music performances.

Jiang Xiaoyu (L), vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games (BOCOG), handed over the torch, which was kindled with the sacred Olympic flame from ancient Olympia of Greece, to Rita Subowo, president of the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Olympic torch relay begins in Jakarta

    JAKARTA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The Jakarta leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay began at 2 p.m. local time (0700 GMT) Tuesday in the Bung Karno Sports Complex as cloudy Jakarta sky turned to a bright sunshine. Full story

Beijing Olympic flame arrives in Jakarta, Indonesia

    JAKARTA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The sacred flame of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on early Tuesday arrived in Indonesian capital of Jakarta, the 14th leg of its global torch relay.

    A chartered plane carrying the flame, which was ignited on March 24 in ancient Olympia of Greece, landed on the Halim military airport at local time 12:05 a.m. from Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia. Full story

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