Retired swimmer Luo proud to be first Chinese torchbearer of Beijing Olympics

OLYMPIA, Greece, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Luo Xuejuan, dubbed the "Queen in the Pool" in China before her retirement last year, felt proud as the first Chinese to bear the torch of Beijing Olympic Games here on Monday.

"I feel so honored," said Luo, who won the only swimming title for China in Athens four years ago when she triumphed in the women's 100 meters breaststroke event.

"As the first Chinese torchbearer, I understand that I'm not bearing it alone, but with all my compatriots," Luo added.

The 24-year-old Luo took over the torch from Greek Olympic taekwondo silver medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis, the first torchbearer, after his torch was lit by High Priestess Maria Nafpliotou at the Ancient Olympia archaeological site.

Luo didn't regret missing the flame lighting ceremony held in front of Hera Temple since she had to wait for Nikolaidis at the exchange point.

Luo, crowned world champion at both the women's 50 and 100 meters breaststroke in 2001 and 2003, announced her retirement in early 2007 due to health problem.

"I've been looking for a way of my own to do something for the Olympic Games on home soil," said Luo. "Now I found it."

"As a torchbearer, I think the Olympic spirit means purity, fair play, friendship, passion, peace and harmony," she added.

The torch will be carried in Greece for six days, staying overnight in Mesologi, Ioannina, Vera, Thessaloniki and Lamia before it reaches Athens on March 30.

The last torchbearer, Greece's 2004 Olympic triple jump silver medalist, Pigi Devetzi, will carry the torch to Panathenian Stadium on March 30, where it will be handed over to the Beijing Olympic organizers.