Fri, August 15, 2008
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With heavy smog hanging over Beijing you can barely make out where the torch is on the Great Wall.
But this didn't matter to the hundreds of people who came to see the torch relay at one of China's most famous sites.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin with English Translation) VOLUNTEER WANG GUANGYU SAYING:
"This is a historical moment. I am so proud and honoured to be able to be here to witness the torch relay myself and work as a volunteer."
Hundreds of volunteers woke up in the middle of the night to catch a glimpse of the flame.
Patriotic music blared out from loud speakers and drums thundered out a pounding beat.
Torch carrier Ren Jinfeng said the Olympics are a major moment for her country:
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin with English Translation) TORCH BEARER REN JINFENG SAYING:
"This is something we have been waiting for 100 years. This is China's dream. We will triumph tomorrow. The Olympics will be successful."
Sadly for organizers, the torch relay on the Wall took place under smog-filled skies.
Some 18 billion dollars of clean-up measures have brought the contamination to safe levels.
But they didn't bring sunshine and blue skies that China longs for.
