The Olympic flame has arrived in Canberra for the 15th leg of the global torch relay of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Known all over the world as a sports-loving nation, Australia is already fully prepared to ensure the smooth passage of the torch across its capital on Thursday. Australian authorities say they will not allow any disruption of the relay to tarnish the Olympic spirit.
Jiang Xiaoyu (L), executive vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG), Chinese ambassador Zhang Junsai pose with the lantern which holds the Olympic flame at the airport in Canberra, the capital of Australia.
The chartered plane carrying the Olympic flame touched down at Canberra's Fairbairn airport on Wednesday morning.
The flame lantern was carried off the plane by Jiang Xiaoyu, Vice President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, or BOCOG...and Chinese ambassador to Australia Zhang Junsai.
A number of Australian dignitaries, including the Capital Territory Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope, the Sports Minister, Kate Ellis, and the President of the Australian Olympic Committee, John Coates, were at the airport to welcome the flame.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, Sports Minister Kate Ellis, President of the Australian Olympic Committee John Coates and Chinese ambassador Zhang Junsai were at the airport to meet the sacred flame.(Xinhua Photo)
Accompanied by Aboriginal music, the flame lantern was handed to Agnes Shea, an elder of the Ngunnawal tribe.
Local indigenous leader Agnes Shea said, "We want the story of the torch while it is in Canberra to be one of peace and understanding. The torch is after all promoting a journey of harmony, may its stay here be one that symbolizes good will for all mankind."
Such sentiment is being echoed by many Australians. The country has hosted the Olympic Games twice and sports here are a very important part of people's lives. Ron Harvey, the vice president of the Australian Olympic Committee, says the Olympic flame represents harmony and peace...and a team of 440-plus Australian athletes will compete at the Beijing Games.
Ron Harvey, vice president of Australian Olympic Committee, said, "The flame is the flame of peace and harmony, and encourages heroes of young people so they can get ready to come to Beijing for the Olympic Games."
Chinese students in Australia have been eagerly awaiting the torch relay in Canberra. Equipped with several thousand small Chinese national flags just delivered from their home country, these students will take to the streets of the capital and cheer on the relay. And many Chinese nationals working or living in Australia are arriving in Canberra to witness the relay. Australian authorities are expecting it will be a great success.
Ted Quinlan, spokesman of Australian capital territory, said, "I think it will be a very good relay. I think a lot of Australians will come out to support it. We do expect some degree of protests. But we hope that will be peaceful. And I hope those people will come to enjoy the torch relay and the flame and see some of the great Australians will be participating as torch-bearers."
Security measures for the torch relay are tight. And the police have pledged to make all efforts to ensure the safety of the relay.
Shane Connelly, deputy chief officer of Canberra City Police Station, said, "I have told my police not to tolerate anyone who's attempting to get away with the torch."
The Canberra leg of the torch relay will be 17 kilometers long. The route will pass the Federal Building, the Parliament building and many other landmarks. 80 torch bearers will pass the flame around the city on Thursday. One of them is a 93 year-old, the oldest torch bearer in the global relay. And Australian swimming star, Ian Thorpe, will also be running.
(CCTV April 23, 2008)