Tycoon Stanley Ho oldest torchbearer in Macao leg of Olympic torch relay

MACAO, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The Macao leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay started here Saturday afternoon as first torchbearer and Wushu (martial art) athlete Leong Hong Man began his leg at the Macao Fisherman's Wharf.

Casino magnate Stanley Ho was the oldest torchbearer and the second runner after Leong finished his leg.

"I am very happy and proud to be one of the torchbearers," Ho, 86, said in an interview with Xinhua. "I share the glory with 1.3 billion Chinese as Beijing will host the Olympic Games this August."

"And of course, I am in full support of my motherland," Ho said.

A total of 120 torchbearers will run 27 kilometers and pass through various Macao landmarks, including the Ruins of St. Paul, the Sai Van Lake by dragon boat, during the torch relay in Macao.

Ho said running just 200 meters was too short for him.

"I love sports and swim every day," Ho said. "I play tennis and dance every now and then, thus running such a short distance was a small case for me."