Universiade Torch Returns Beijing

Universiade Torch Returns Beijing

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The torch of the 21st Universiade returned Beijing at noon Monday after 109-day journey throughout the country.

The one-meter white torch, with the logo of the games painted on it, traveled more than 20,000 kilometers, winding up the country's 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, as well as the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, said Feng Songqing, who supervises the torch relay activities.

Celebrating the coming Universiade nearly 300,000 students at roughly 200 universities participated in the symbolic relay.

The torch was ignited simultaneously at the Massey University of New Zealand and Beijing University of China at the first sunshine of the new millennium.

When Vice-Premier Li Lanqing kindled the torch at China Centenary Altar in Beijing on May 4 this year, China launched a nationwide endeavor promoting the Universiade as well as sportsmanship.

Participants to the torch relay include Olympics medalists, athletes, soldiers, officials, students, workers, entertainment stars, house wives and the handicapped, Feng said.

"The torch relay popularized the universiade in the country," Feng said.

At the same time, China's sports administration body wants to further arouse the enthusiasm among the people about the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The torch relay is scheduled to continue in Beijing tomorrow. World chess champion Xie Jun and Olympic table tennis champion Wang Liqin are expected to join the relay.

The torch will be used to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony at the Workers' Stadium, main venue for the Universiade, which is scheduled from August 22 to September 1.