1 torch relay : Sacred flame waves goodbye to Greece

"Tell the world, the Olympic Games are about to begin!"

One week earlier, on March 24, the torch lighting ceremony was successfully completed, signaling the start of the torch relay in Greece. On Sunday, March 30, the Greek leg of the torch relay officially concluded, with the handover of the torch to BOCOG at Panathenaikon Stadium in Athens. The sacred flame will head to Beijing from here, and after a welcome ceremony launching the start of the 2008 Games, the flame will begin its worldwide tour.

In the past seven days, the sacred flame has circled around Greece, traveling 1,500 kilometers, starting from the birthplace of the modern Olympics, Ancient Olympia, and ending in Athens, the site of the 2004 Olympic Games. Although the sacred flame met with less than perfect weather conditions during its journey, having to face wind, rain, and snow, torchbearers relentlessly carried on, and in their care, the fire continued to burn brightly atop torches and altars.

The sacred flame witnessed love and friendship freely given by Greek citizens as the torch ignited their passionate Olympic spirits. The cooperative friendship between Chinese and Greeks, as shown through the successful torch relay, serves to spread the ideals of peace and harmony throughout the world.

Over 600 people had the honor of carrying the torch through its journey in Greece. From the first torchbearer (Alexandros Nikolaidis, 80 kg taekwondo Olympic silver medalist in 2004) to the last (Pigi Divetzi, silver medalist in the triple jump in the Athens Olympic Games), each person represented the heart of the Olympic Games, where fairness and equality overcome social and economic status. Every torchbearer stands equal on this platform provided by the sacred flame.

At every stop along the relay route, the sacred flame was met with expressive enthusiasm and celebrated with passionate song and dance. Greek citizens were eager to show the world their unique traditions with beautiful outfits and lovely performances, rehearsed and impulsive, encouraged by the spirit of the Olympic flame.

Unforgettable moments during the Greek leg of the torch relay are plentiful. For example, the image of the sacred flame being carried forward through pouring rain on the evening of the torch lighting ceremony will be forever imprinted on onlookers' memories. And the words of a visually impaired torchbearer, after finishing her race, "I can't see the flame, but I can feel it's warmth," will be remembered for countless years to come.

Although most of the residents reporters spoke to in Greece have never been to China, and have only a vague idea of Beijing, they overwhelmingly opened their hearts to welcome the Chinese representatives, as well as the Beijing Olympics as a whole, sending their well-wishes along with the sacred flame as it journeyed through the country.

Twenty-six Chinese nationals from various circles took part in the Greek relay run as torchbearers, including Olympic swimming gold medalist Luo Xueyuan, four-time Olympic table tennis champion Deng Yaping, Chinese ambassador to Greece Luo Linquan, and postman Quan Erping from Inner Mongolia. They were the face of China in Greece, bringing greetings from the East.

The friendly atmosphere provided by the Greek population as the sacred flame traveled through both large metropolises and tiny mountain villages was palpable to the guests. In addition, the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) did everything in its power to ensure the safety and success of the torch relay, efficiently planning the route and wonderfully executing the torch arrival ceremonies. Greek President Karolos Papoulias, and Prime Minister Konstandinos KARAMANLIS were present at the Olympic torch lighting ceremony, an immense honor for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

As the Greek leg of the torch relay has concluded, the sacred flame brings with it to Beijing all of the blessings of the Greek population as expressed by their warm welcome in the last week. From here, the torch will head first to Beijing, to be welcomed by a launching ceremony, after which the sacred flame representing the 2008 Beijing Olympics will make its way around the globe.