22,000 Recruited to carry Beijing Olympics 2008 Torch: Don’t drop it

Breaking News: Organisers of the Beijing Olympics 2008 have unveiled an astonishing plan to recruit 22,000 yes 22 thousand torch bearers for the 2008 Beijing Olympics torch relay next year. Athens 2004 had nearly half that amount for their torch relay, so it is astonishing how many are carrying the torch in 2008 in Beijing. The numbers are as follows, BOCOG (Beijing organizing committee) will recruit 21,880 bearers alone and 19,400 of them are from mainland China. The highest number of torch bearers before this number was 13,300 at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and Atlanta has a similar number.

The torch bearer selection programme will aim to include public participation in a most broad and extensive way, they will recruit torch bearers who they think are most worthy of carrying the prized Olympic Flame, the theme is called “’Journey of Harmony’ and slogan ‘Light the Passion, Share the Dream’. Among the selection criteria, all torch bearers must “patriotic and dedicated to the Olympic Movement”, have contributed to the “building of a harmonious society”, and be “distinguished for remarkable feats in his or her profession or community”, Zhang said. Apparently the Olympic flame will first be lit in ancient Olympia, Greece March 25th, 2008 where the handover in Beijing will be March 31, 2008.

What are you most looking forward too at the Beijing Olympics 2008?