2008 Summer Olympics torch relay route

The 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay route involved 21 countries where the Olympic torch was carried between its lighting in Greece in March 2008 and the Olympic opening ceremony in China's host city of Beijing in August 2008. The relay took place in four separate legs: in Greece, an international leg, in the Special Administrative Region of China (Hong Kong and Macau), and in mainland China.

The planned route originally included a stop in Taipei between Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong, but there was disagreement in Beijing and Taipei over language used to describe whether it was an international or a domestic part of the route. While the Olympic committees of China and Chinese Taipei reached initial consensus on the approach, the government of the Republic of China in Taiwan intervened, stating that this placement could be interpreted as placing Taiwan on the same level as Hong Kong and Macau, an implication it objected to. The Beijing Organizing Committee attempted to continue negotiation, but further disputes arose over the flag or the anthem of the Republic of China along the 24 km torch route in Taiwan. By the midnight deadline for concluding the negotiation on September 21, 2007, Taiwan authorities and Mainland China were unable to come to terms with the issue of the Torch Relay. In the end, both sides of the Taiwan Strait decided to eliminate the Taipei leg.

Route in Greece

International and HK&Macau route

The opening relay route ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The song "We are ready" was performed by Eason Chan, Hotcha, EO2 accompanied by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Dance company, Gauido international golden eagle gymnastics team, and senior mixed choir of the Diocesan Girls' School and the Diocesan Boys' School. I-Cable May 2, 2008 broadcast

Hong Kong and Macau gallery

Image:Hong Kong Torch relay.png, Torch relay route map
Image:Hong Kong Torch relay1.png, Section 1, Tsim Sha Tsui
Image:Hong Kong Torch relay2.png, Section 2, Tsing Ma Bridge
Image:Hong Kong Torch relay3a.png, Section 3A, Sha Tin
Image:Hong Kong Torch relay3b.png, Section 3B, Sha Tin Racecourse
Image:Hong Kong Torch relay4.png, Avenue of Stars
Image:Hong Kong Torch relay5.png, Section 5, Victoria Harbour
Image:Hong Kong Torch relay6.png, Central and Wan Chai
Image:HK Olympic Torch Relay Shatin B1.jpg, Relayer #38: Thomas Kwok (郭炳江)
Image:HK Olympic Torch Relay Shatin B3.jpg, Relayer #51: Ma Koon-sang (馬觀生)
Image:FuwainMacau.JPG, Fuwa designs along the way
Image:CAT-Macao.JPG, Banners along the way

Route in Mainland China

The total torchbearer counts for each city are available a
the official website of the torch relay

The relay was suspended from May 19 – 21 to honor victims of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

See also

* 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay

References

{{Olympic torch relays

Torch relay
Olympic torch relays