The dawn of Wednesday morning saw the Olympic torch at the forefront of Olympic festivities in the Chinese capital, as Beijing 2022 organizers initiated the abbreviated Olympic torch relay from Beijing Olympic Forest Park.
The Olympic Torch Relay began with a short ceremony that saw the Chinese and Olympic anthems played, a speech given by Cai Qi, President of the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee, and a video message delivered by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.
In his speech, Cai Qi, stated, “the Olympic Games promotes friendship, and the Olympic torch relay offers great opportunities for bridging different cultures. The Olympic flame, a symbol of light, solidarity, peace and friendship, will light the torch of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, add its brilliance to Beijing, the host city of both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, and write a new chapter of the Olympic Movement.”
He added, “we believe the Olympic flame will bring us confidence, warmth, and hope, and dispel the gloom of the pandemic. Let us work together to deliver a green, inclusive, open and clean Olympic Games that is simple, safe and splendid, and embrace a brighter future.”
Bach looked to advertise a message of solidarity in his video message, stating, “The Olympic flame will show everyone that Beijing is ready to make history, becoming the first-ever host of both summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games.”
“This is the timeless message the Olympic flame will send from China to the world: we can only go faster, we can only aim higher, we can only become stronger, if we stand together.”
Following the speeches, Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng used the Olympic torch to light a ceremonial cauldron that was modeled in the shape of a zun, a traditional Chinese ritual vessel.
The torch was then handed to the first torchbearer, Luo Zhihuan, who started the relay proper. Luo, a former speed skater who won China’s first world championship in winter sports, commented on the occasion, stating, “today, my dream comes true. I have carried the Olympic flame as a representative of the first-generation of Chinese winter sports athletes.”
He later added, “I was not able to participate in the Olympic Winter Games when I was at my peak as an athlete. It is a regret. This year, I am able to pass on the fighting spirit of the older generation of athletes in my home country. For me, it’s a dream come true.”
The torch then spent the remaining hours of the day touring the various Olympic sights in Beijing, including the Beijing Olympic Forest Park, Beijing Olympic Winter Park, and Shougang Park.
Prominent torchbearers included Yao Ming, president of the Chinese Basketball Association, Georgios Iliopoulos, Ambassador of Greece to China, and Chinese film director and opening ceremony director Zhang Yimou.
In regards to the Winter Olympics taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic, Iliopoulos told Reuters, “that is, of course, bad luck but what can you do? You cannot stop life and we do the best we can to continue with what we have to deal with.”
The abbreviated nature of the relay didn’t stop local organizers from showing off some innovations as well. During the leg of the relay that passed through the Beijing Olympic Winter Park, an underwater torch relay took place between an amphibious robot and an underwater variable robot.
Beijing 2022 organizers stated the stunt was supported by “cutting-edge technology for high-precision underwater hovering, positioning and guidance, as well as cross-medium burning,” adding that the Olympic torch is “clean and environmentally-friendly,” and reliable “both in the air and underwater without producing smoke, and is capable of maintaining the flame’s visual effect.”
The torch relay will continue its journey over the next two days, visiting competition zones in Yanqing and Zhangjiakou.
Themed “Let us meet at the rendezvous of ice and snow; let us run towards a shared, brighter future,” Beijing 2022 organizers hope the relay will “help to ignite the enthusiasm of the people for the upcoming Games and engage more people in winter sport.”
The torch is expected to be carried by about 1,200 torchbearers before it arrives at the National Stadium on February 4.
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