Olympic Torch Relay Begins Final Leg in Beijing

China's first astronaut, Yang Liwei, carries the torch in the first segment of the Beijing relay on Wednesday morning, August 6, 2008, beckoning to the cheering people at the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City.

The Olympic torch relay began its final leg in Beijing from the landmark Forbidden City Wednesday morning.

At the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City, the torch was handed over to the first bearer, Yang Liwei, the country's first astronaut, by Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Olympic Games (BOCOG).

Red Chinese national flags and white flags of Beijing Olympics are flying over cheerful crowds who has gathered at the Tian'anmen Square since early morning.

"The flame came back to Beijing!" said Guo Jinlong, Beijing mayor, at the brief ceremony held at the small square in front of the 558-year-old gate, decorated by red carpet. "We can expect a successful end of the Journey of Harmony."

"Beijing is fully ready for the Olympic Games. The city is opening its arms to guests worldwide," he said. "We are eagerly waiting for the flame to be lit in the National Stadium."

The Olympic flame will travel in the Olympic host city for three days joined by a total of 841 torch bearers.

On its first day, the torch relay will cover 16.4 km in just over four hours through seven districts, passing city landmarks, including Tian'anmen Square, the egg-shaped National Center for the Performing Arts and Qianmen (the front gate). It will end at the Temple of Heaven.

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