The flame-lighting ceremony and online Torch Relay for the 2nd Asian Youth Games were held here at the historic Purple Mountain Observatory with more than 300 people participating in the opening festivities.
The launch is being hosted at the official website, www.nanjing2013.org and marks the 100th day to the opening of the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing.
Ji Jianye, mayor of Nanjing City, announced the start of the festivities with a symbolic torch lighting ceremony as four girls, all 14, a family of quadruplets from the Zhu family from Nanjing held a torch near a fire caused by drilling wood to light the symbolic flame.
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President of the Olympic Council of Asia send a video message,expressing his congratulations to the flame-lighting and online Torch Relay:
"I’d like to congratulate you, our dear colleagues from the Organizing Committee for our 2nd Youth Games in Nanjing and all the Nanjing officials and citizens for this Torch Relay. It was a very good idea to create this online Torch Relay and blending sport and technology."
He added, "I would be honoured to receive the torch in Kuwait on May 29 to be one of our great days here in Kuwait to support our dear friends from Nanjing City, China where we’ll host our 2nd Youth Games. For that, I’m looking forward to be a part of the ceremony and I’m looking forward to the success of the Games. My best wishes and congratulations to our dear colleagues from the Organising Committee of the Nanjing Asian Youth Games and I wish the success of the 2nd Youth Games in Nanjing. I’m looking forward to seeing you, our dear citizens, and to celebrating with you our Games, our ceremony, our victory and our movement in the Asia."
Mr. Yang Weize, Executive President of the Nanjing Asian Youth Games Organizing Committee said, "The flame of the Asian Youth Games represents the Olympic spirit and Olympic values, the hopes and dreams of peace through sport. The online Torch Relay will pass through all over the Asia to represent the lighting and passing of the flame. This Torch Relay applies the power of the Internet and mobile technology through interesting and challenging interactions as well as characteristic games to inspire the participation of youth around Asia."
Mr. Wei Jizhong, Honorary Lifetime Vice-President of the Olympic Council of Asia said the ancient Nanjing and today's festive ceremony will spark great interest in the history of the Asian Youth Games, adding, "in the next 100 days, all people can participate in the online Torch Relay through mobile communication, pads, and personal computers with the Opening Ceremony set for August 16."
For more information, contact
Mr Shen Zhengyu
Communications and Public Relations Department
The 2nd Asian Youth Games
Telephone: (86) 025-5666-1136
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