Special report: 2008 Olympic Games  

 

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen (2nd R), Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and the first torchbearer Lee Lai-shan, Hong Kong's first ever Olympic gold medallist, display the torch at the launching ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Hong Kong, south China on May 2, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    HONG KONG, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic flame crossed the Victorian Harbor and landed on Hong Kong Island by ferry at 16:00 Friday after five- and-half-hour torch relay in the northern part of Hong Kong.

    The torchbearers are running through the business district in the Central where thousands of spectators are cheering the flame and chanting support for Beijing Olympics.

    The 20th leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay started in Hong Kong SAR at 10:28 am local time on Friday.

    Lee Lai-shan, Hong Kong's first ever Olympic gold medalist, was the first runner. She was followed by Olympic table tennis stars Li Ching and Ko Lai-chak and Hong Kong heartthrob Andy Lau.

    "I am lucky to have run my leg very smoothly," said Lee after completing her leg of the torch relay.

    "I am very happy to be the first runner, but also felt a bit nervous at the beginning because it was drizzling," she said.

    The torch relay has passed by such landmarks as Tsing Ma Bridge, Sha Tin racecourse and the Avenue of Stars before the torch was ferried across the Victoria Harbor onto the Hong Kong Island.

    "Today, the Olympic torch relay resumes on Chinese soil after its global journey across five continents. It is a great and solemn honor for Hong Kong, Asia's world city, to be the first city in China to welcome back the Olympic flame on behalf of our proud nation," said Donald Tsang, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, before he handed the torch to Lee to kick off the relay.

    As a cosmopolitan city of China, Hong Kong is uniquely placed to play this bridging role between the peoples of the world, and the people of our country, he said.

Torchbearer Andy Lau (C), Hong Kong singer and actor, runs with the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Hong Kong, south China on May 2, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "In Hong Kong, we are a world in a city, where different people, with different beliefs, and different views have thrived in the spirit of diversity, tolerance and respect. This same spirit feeds the Olympic flame, and makes it burn brightly," he said.

    "As the Olympic torch is relayed through Hong Kong - and as it travels across the vast expanse of our country in the months ahead- I truly hope that it will continue to blaze a trail of unity and peace, for all people, of all nations. The goal of 'One World, One Dream' is there for us to achieve," he said.

    The eight-hour torch relay in Hong Kong started from the Hong Kong Cultural Center, a landmark built on the northern coast of the Victoria Harbor in the 1980s. It comprises different function sections so as to accommodate various artistic forms such as concerts, musicals, operas, etc.

    One hundred and twenty torchbearers are set to cover a 26-km route, and finally reach the Gold Bauhinia Square on the southern coast of Victoria Harbor to end the first leg of the torch relay on China soil. 

Hong Kong holds ceremony to welcome 2008 Olympic flame

Hong Kong holds a ceremony Wednesday to welcome the sacred flame of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which arrived here this afternoon. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    HONG KONG, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong held a ceremony Wednesday to welcome the sacred flame of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which arrived here this afternoon.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Executive Vice President of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee Yang Shu'an said that after some 30 days of relay, the sacred flame of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games eventually arrived in Hong Kong, back to the motherland. Everyone is expecting successful relay of the Olympic torch in the city with great excitement and anticipation. Full story

What Hong Kong torchbearers say about Olympic torch relay

    HONG KONG, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic torch relay is now back in China and Hong Kong, the southern special administrative region, will show you what Asia's world city is like in the 11th year after its return to the motherland.

    Sportsmen represent about one third of the 120 torchbearers in the first leg of the torch's trip back in China. Pop stars from the city's glamorous entertainment industry, businessmen and lawmakers were also in the Olympic spotlight. Full story

Beijing Olympic flame arrives in Hong Kong

Local pupils cheer for the arrival of the Olympic flame in Hong Kong, south China on April, 30. The Olympic torch relay in Hong Kong will be held on May 2. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    HONG KONG, April 30 (Xinhua) -- The chartered plane carrying the Beijing Olympic Flame landed at Hong Kong International Airport at 13:59 local time on Wednesday for Friday's torch relay through the city. Full story

Theme songs for Olympic Torch Relay, Volunteers unveiled on 100-day countdown 

    BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Beijing Olympic and Paralympic torch relay theme song and two theme songs for the volunteer programs were unveiled Wednesday, the 100-day countdown to the Olympic Games, at Tai Miao at the Beijing Working People's Culture Palace.

    The trio songs, "Light the Passion, Share the Dream" "I am A star" and "Smile Beijing", which jumped out from nearly 80,000 contested songs, were finally released at the Fourth Olympic Songs Contest on Wednesday evening. Full story

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