The Canberra leg of the torch relay for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games has ended without incident. 80 torch bearers carried the flame through the capital along a 16-kilometer route past the city's many landmarks.
The last torchbearer Ian Thorpe, five-time gold medalist, lights the cauldron in the Commonwealth Park of the capital city of Canberra, April 24, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)
Top Australian athletes, including five-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Ian Thorpe, and representatives from all walks of life participated. Tens of thousands of Chinese nationals cheered on the relay along the route.
The 15th leg of the global torch relay began early on Thursday morning at Reconciliation Place on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, near the city's center.
Enthusiasm for the torch relay was tangible in the Australian capital. Even before the relay began, tens of thousands of spectators had already gathered at the starting point. Local indigenous artists celebrated with Aboriginal music and dancing. Australia's former foreign minister Alexander Dower took the opportunity to encourage the country's young athletes.
Aboriginals perform ahead of the torch relay in Canberra, capital of Australia, April 24, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)
Former Australian Foreign Minister said, Alexander Downer "In just over 100 days, Australia - you - will again be represented at the Olympic Games in Beijing, by a team of some 440 athletes. I know they will do you proud and I know they will be inspired by the support that you are giving them today."
Young Queensland indigenous leader, Tania Major, was the first torch bearer. She received the torch from the Executive Vice President of the Beijing Organizing Committee, Jiang Xiaoyu. The 26-year-old was the winner of Young Australian of the Year in 2007.
The oldest of the 80 torch bearers was 91 years old, and the youngest, just 14. During the relay, tens of thousands of spectators, many of them enthusiastic Chinese expatriates and students, lined the streets. They had waited for hours and followed the torch bearers along the route.
Hot air balloons are seen before the torch relay in Canberra, capital of Australia, April 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
The relay ended at Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park on the other side of the lake. Five-time Olympic swimming gold medalist, Ian Thorpe, was the last torch bearer. He's full of pride for being able to run in the torch relay for the first time.
Tight security was in place to ensure the safety of the Olympic Torch Relay. Officials from Australia's Olympic Committee hailed the relay a success.
(CCTV April 25, 2008)