Photo shows the starting ceremony of the torch relay of the 19th Asian Games in Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)
The Hangzhou Asian Games torch relay features over 2,000 torchbearers, including 30 chosen online, engaging nearly 100 million participants on a digital platform, culminating in a virtual "lighting" of the flame on September 23rd.
HANGZHOU, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The combination of virtual and physical worlds makes the Hangzhou Asian Games torch relay the largest ever.
Du Zuofeng, deputy commander of the Hangzhou Asian Games torch relay command center, said that torchbearers are selected by the Olympic Council of Asia, the Chinese Olympic Committee, the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee and cities in Zhejiang Province.
Over 2,000 torchbearers stood out after strict recommendations and publication, and among them, 30 torchbearers were selected through the online "Race to be the Asian Games Torchbearer" theme event.
The selection of torchbearers highlights eminent candidates' dedication to their positions. Meanwhile, young generations also have the chance to pass on their dreams.
Zou Tao, from No. 3 Middle School in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, has played football for six years and cherishes a dream of representing China in the future, just like her idol Wang Shuang.
"I am proud to be a torchbearer for the Asian Games, just as Wang Shuang. I hope more girls will love football and enjoy the beauty of sports," Zou said.
People welcome the torch relay of the 19th Asian Games in Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)
The torch relay has passed through eight cities so far, with many touching stories being unveiled. Meanwhile, nearly 100 million people have joined a digital torch relay platform released simultaneously when the torch was lit on June 15th.
So far, the digital torch has been passed through central Asia, south Asia, west Asia, east Asia and Southeast Asia, beginning its third stage on August 15 in China, covering former Asiad host cities Beijing and Guangzhou before arriving in Hangzhou, the host city of this year's Games.
When the flame of the Hangzhou Asian Games is ignited on September 23, digital torchbearers all over the world will jointly "light" the Asian Games' flame in the virtual world.
"Anyone can be a torchbearer in this digital era, and the Hangzhou Asian Games is expected to see the largest-scale torch relay and the most widespread coverage of participants in the history of the event," said Du. ■
