Olympic torch goes through picturesque Huizhou

By sportswriter Zhang Rongfeng

HUIZHOU, South China, May 9 (Xinhua) — The Olympic torch was carried through scenic Huizhou in Friday’s relay, the third stop in Guangdong province, with the local backstroker Chen Xiujun bearing the first leg.

The itinerary lasted for 30 kilometers, covering lake-encircling scenery, avenues, tree-thriving massif, demonstrating a scene of “half landscape and half lake” in the city, which has two rivers and a zigzag lake located in downtown area.

As usual in torch relay, thousands of residents occupied the sidewalk along the route, presenting a grand ovation for the passing of Olympic flame in their hometown.

Other top athletes in torchbearers include Liang Wenbo, a snooker player and Lv Qin, a chess master and Zhong Xiu’e, a retired wrestler.

Besides, workers, servicemen, entrepreneurs, army officers and merchants are all taken into account in the relay.

Lv Qin, a team and individual world chess champion, is the last one in the day’s relay.

“I would like to put my torch in my chess club, so as to let more people see it and be part of the Olympic Games,” said 47-year-old Lv, who started playing chess when he was seven.

Source: news.xinhuanet.com