BEIJING: The Olympic Torch Relay visited the Great Wall on Thursday, on a tour powered by prominent Chinese Olympians, one of the world’s best-known actors and enthusiastic torchbearers from a host of other backgrounds.
The second day of the three-day Relay took the flame to the Badaling section of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Yanqing, which will also host Olympic competitions in alpine skiing and sliding sports. From there, the Olympic Torch Relay travelled to the other Olympic mountain cluster, in Zhangjiakou, which will host other skiing and snowboard competitions.
Although the flame was the centre of attention throughout the day, it was accompanied by some high-profile torchbearers, including actor Jackie Chan, known locally by his Mandarin name, Chen Gangshen. Several Olympic medallists also carried the flame during the day.
These included two-time Olympic champion Wu Jingyu, who won gold medals in taekwondo at the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 and London 2012. She said she was happy to have her new Olympic role at these Beijing Games.
“I will cheer for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 as a Beijing citizen,” she said.
Ma Long also carried the torch. Afterwards, the most decorated male table tennis player in Olympic history said he believes that Beijing 2022 will encourage participation in winter sports and other athletic activities.
Other Olympians along the route included figure skater Pang Qing, as well as two gold medallists from the recent Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Yang Qian, a champion shooter, and Guan Chenchen, who captured the gold on the balance beam.
The Olympic flame and its carriers were greeted enthusiastically along the route. In Yanqing, Olympic fans welcomed the flame with a traditional silk lantern show and dance performances, including one entitled, “Please Come to the Great Wall for Skiing.”
The Olympic Torch Relay also passed through the International Grape Exhibition Garden, a tourist site dedicated to grapes and viticulture. Young roller-skaters carrying lanterns staged a performance combining traditional Chinese culture and winter sports.
The Relay will end tomorrow when the flame arrives at the Opening Ceremony to light the Olympic cauldron, signalling the official start of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
