Olympic torch relay concludes in Sanya

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Olympic torch relay concludes in Sanya
Source: CCTV.com | 05-05-2008 08:19
Special Report:  2008 Beijing Olympic Games

The Sanya leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay has successfully concluded. A resort city on the southernmost tip of China's Hainan Province, Sanya took great pride in hosting the first leg of the torch relay on its return journey to the Chinese mainland.
  



Torchbearers Pu Huifang (R) and Jackie Chan, famous
action star, wave to the spectators after lighting
the cauldron at the scenic spot of Tianya Haijiao
during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay
in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, on May 4,
2008. (Xinhua Photo)


After stopping in 19 cities across five continents, the Olympic flame is back on the Chinese mainland. The sacred flame lit up the Olympic spirit for the people of Sanya. Sharing in one dream, crowds of local people and tourists lined the route, cheering to show their support for the approaching Summer Games.

This leg of the relay began on Phoenix Island at 9:30 in the morning.

Luo Baoming, Governor of Hainan Province said \"With the blessing of peace-loving people all over the world and eagerly anticipated by 1.3 billion Chinese people the Olympic flame symbolizing peace, friendship and hope will travel across China from Sanya. We feel greatly honored and proud.\"

China's first winter Olympic champion, short-track speed skating star, Yang Yang, was the first torch bearer in Sanya. She won two gold medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, ending China's gold medal drought at the Winter Olympics.
  

Torchbearers Pu Huifang (R) and Jackie
Chan, famous action star, run with the
torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic
Games torch relay in Sanya, south China's
Hainan Province, on May 4, 2008.(Xinhua
Photo)

A total of 208 torchbearers ran during the route of more than 30 kilometers. They passed the Crown of Beauty Center, Haiyue Square of Sanya Gulf, Haihong Square. Finally, movie star Jackie Chen and local official Pu Huifang carried the flame together to the scenic spot of Tianya Haijiao, the end this leg of the relay.

After Sanya, the flame will travel to Wuzhishan city on Monday, and arrive in Haikou, the capital city of Hainan Province on Tuesday
  
Torchbearer, famous Chinese actress Zhang
Ziyi runs with the torch during the 2008
Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Sanya,
south China's Hainan Province, on May 4,
2008. (Xinhua Photo
  

Torchbearers Li Shuangjiang (2nd R) and Emil Chow, both
famous singers, pose for a photo during the 2008 Beijing
Olympic Games torch relay in Sanya, south China's Hainan
Province, on May 4, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)