The Olympic torch for Beijing 2022 today began its journey in the hands of the first Chinese world champion in speed skating, eighty-year-old Luo Zhihuan. He is the first of 1,200 torchbearers, whose journey ends on February 4 at the Opening Ceremony at the cult stadium "Bird's Nest".

The participation of the world champion in speed skating, who set a world record in the length of 1,500 meters in 1963, also served as a symbolic transfer of the flame to the new generation of athletes.

"Today, my dream is coming true," he said. "I carried an Olympic flame as a representative of the first generation of Chinese winter athletes."

Han Zheng, chairman of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Steering Committee, lit a torch and announced the start of the relay in the presence of more than 300 athletes, students, volunteers, and residents.

Cai Qi, chairman of the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee, called the flame a "symbol of light, solidarity and peace from around the world" that will "spread the Olympic spirit and ignite the enthusiasm of the Olympic Games".

The Olympic Torch began its journey at Beijing Olympic Forest Park, and will pass through all three competition zones of Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou, before arriving at the Opening Ceremony. The organizers significantly reduced the planned route, due to the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Olympic flame was lit on the site of ancient Olympia, Greece, on October 18, 2021, and arrived at the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee the next day.

Photo and text source: https://olympics.com/ioc/news/olympic-torch-relay-begins-its-journey-in-beijing