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Yao Ming Set to Run Last Leg of Olympic Torch Relay

Chinese NBA star Yao Ming on June 9 joined 147 other Olympic torchbearers, including sports legends Deng Yaping and Sang Lan, in Beijing when he anchored the last stretch of the Beijing leg of a global torch relay for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

"The torchbearers came from all walks of life," Jiang Xiaoyu, vice-president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics, said at a press conference.

The flame, which was kindled in ancient Olympia on March 25, began a 78,000-kilometre global trek that will cover 34 cities in 27 countries. It arrived in the Chinese capital from South Korea on June 8 for a two-day stay.

Yu Zaiqing, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and vice-president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, ran the initial leg of the relay on June 9.

Jiang said Yao was a perfect choice to anchor the relay.

"We decided to name Yao Ming, a very famous basketball player in China, as well as in the world, as the last torchbearer," he said.

After an 8-hour journey of more than 50-kilometres, the torch, which was lit at the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People, reached the Summer Palace, where Yao ignited a ceremonial cauldron.

Along the route, the flame passed symbolic sites including the Temple of Heaven, the Central Business District and Olympic venues being built for the 2008 Games.