Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Olympic torch on its way- Beijing Waits

The Olympic torch was lit on 24th March 2008 in front of the Temple of Hera, on the grounds of Olympia, where the Ancient Olympic games took place. The flame was lit in the traditional way which is by using the sun’s ray and a parabolic mirror. It was lit by a Holy Priestess.

The priestess handed over the torch to the first runner of the Beijing Torch Relay at the Ancient Olympic Stadium. The torch bearer ran past the tomb of Pierre de Coubertin. It is in this tomb where his heart is buried. The torch will stop in twenty-one countries and pass five continents.

It will reach Beijing, China where it is being waited with a lot of enthusiasm. It will enter the Opening Ceremony where the Olympic Cauldron will be lit in the Olympic Stadium in Beijing. This event will take place on 8 August, 2008.

Jacques Rogge, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said during the ceremony, “The torch is the link between all athletes and citizens of this world; between all of us who believe in Olympism and the virtue of sport. It has the force to unite humanity and to stand for harmony."

It is rightly said. The 2008 beijing olympics event has the might to spread harmony, oneness and sportsmanship around the globe.

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