Special report: 2008 Olympic Games  

Overseas Chinese students cheer for the Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea，on April 28, 2008. Pyongyang is the 18th leg of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay.(Xinhua Photo/An Zhiping) Photo Gallery>>>

    PYONGYANG, April 28 (Xinhua) -- "The Beijing Olympic flame received a top-class welcome in Pyongyang," said Pak Hak Seon, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of the DPR Korea.

    "The successful torch relay in Pyongyang deals a heavy blow to the evil force who want to demolish the Olympic Games," said Pak. "The Beijing Olympic Games are sure to succeed."

    The torch relay in Pyongyang, the 18th leg of its global tour, completed at around 15:00 local time as the last torch bearer kindled the cauldron in Kim Il Sung Stadium.

    Chong Song Ok, entitled "Marathon Queen" by the DPR Korean media, ran up to the cauldron standing before the Kim Il Sung Stadium from the Arch of Triumph. When she kindled the Olympic cauldron with the flame, the spectators burst out a storm of claps.

Torchbearer Yu Lei (L) is circled by local people after he finished his leg during the Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea，on April 28, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Chong, who was crowned at the 7th world track and field championships in August, 1999, told Xinhua that the marathon was the symbol of the Olympic Games.

    "As a former marathoner, the torch relay of the Olympic Games has a special meaning to her. Holding the last torch running to the cauldron recall her of making a final dash in marathon contest," she said.

    Tens of thousands full-dressed Koreans, Chinese businessmen and overseas students in the DPR Korea cheered and raised banners of "congratulations to the successful completion of Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang," "cheers Beijing, cheers Pyongyang, cheers Olympic Games," "China-DPRK friendship passed on from generation to generation."

    Kim Yong Il, premier of the DPR Korea, Chang Ung, the DPR Korean representative of the International Olympic Committee, attended the ceremony.

    Head of the Beijing Olympic Flame Delegation, Li Binghua, who is also the executive vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games (BOCOG), said that the torch relay in Pyongyang "makes him extremely excited" and he will "remember it forever."

First torchbearer Park Tu Ik runs with the torch through cheering people in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea，on April 28, 2008. Pyongyang is the 18th leg of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay. (Xinhua Photo/An Zhiping) Photo Gallery>>>

    "The successful torch relay in Pyongyang is not only a support to the Olympic Games, but also conveys the friendship of the DPR Korean people to China," he added.

    The torch relay kicked off at around 10:15 a.m. local time on sunny Monday, at the Tower of the Juche Idea.

    Pak Do Ik, former national football team player of the DPR Korea, who scored a decisive goal in a 1966 world cup, sending his team into the quarterfinals, took the Olympic Flame from Kim Yong Nam, top legislator of the DPR Korea, began his run by holding the torch high and waving to a cheering crowd from the Tower of the Juche Idea, kicking off the first Olympic torch relay on the soil of the DPR Korea.

    The 72-year-old famous football player told Xinhua that the Beijing Olympic Games, drawing a great attention from all over the world, are sure to succeed.

    Liang Tongjun, president of the Pingjin Bicycle Joint Venture, represented the Chinese enterprises in the DPR Korea taking part in the torch relay. He said that the torch-relay would convey the joy to the people of the DPR Korea.

    The torch was kindled with the Olympic flame stored in a special lantern by Li Binghua, who handed the torch to Pak Pyong Jong, first vice-Chairman of the People's Committee of Pyongyang. Pak then handed it to Kim Yong Nam.

    Before kindling the first torch relayed in Pyongyang, a brief launching ceremony was held in the front of the Tower of the JucheIdea, with a band playing the national anthems of China and the DPR Korea.

    "The world gave a most bright and colorful day to everybody in the city," said Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the DPR Korea." The flame brings about the friendships, best wishes, and passion to Pyongyang."

    Hundreds of thousands Pyongyang citizens lined streets to welcome and witness the Olympic flame. They performed group dancing. Both sides along the route were decorated by banners and billboards with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay slogan "Light the Passion, Share the Dream" and logos.

    Ding Yuanlu, an overseas Chinese in the DPR Korea and a teacher in Pyongyang, said that words can't express his excitement of witnessing the Beijing Olympic flame on a foreign land, and he was very proud of the Olympic Games to be held in Beijing.

    The 80 torchbearers, selected from distinguished representatives from different walks of life including government officials, famous athletes, working people in different fields, overseas Koreans and Chinese in DPR Korea, run through a 20-km route in Pyongyang that covers the city's main streets and most of the scenic spots.

    The Olympic flame, which had traveled 17 countries before arriving in Pyongyang early Monday morning, left Monday evening for the next stop Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

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