Olympic flame welcome ceremony at Tian'anmen Square

People wait to attend the welcome ceremony for the Olympic flame and torch relay launch to be held at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, China, on March 31, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2008 Olympic Games, addresses the welcome ceremony for the Olympic flame and launching of the Beijing Olympic torch relay at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, China, on March 31, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

The welcome ceremony for the Olympic flame and launching of the Beijing Olympic torch relay is held at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, China, on March 31, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

A performer displays a banner of the Beijing Olympic Games emblem during the welcome ceremony for the Olympic flame and launching of the Beijing Olympic torch relay at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, China, on March 31, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

People wait to attend the welcome ceremony for the Olympic flame and torch relay launch to be held at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, China, on March 31, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Olympic men's hurdles champion Liu Xiang (front) runs with the torch at the welcome ceremony for the Olympic flame and launching of the Beijing Olympic torch relay at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, China, on March 31, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)