On the eve of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, the Olympic Torch Relay continues its journey through China. She won the Great Wall on Thursday with a choice ambassador, actor Jackie Chan, known worldwide for his martial arts films.
Article written by
Posted
Update
Reading time : 1 min.
Under a frank winter sun but with freezing temperatures, the flame arrived Thursday morning February 3 in Badaling, one of the sections of the Great Wall closest to Beijing (75 km). Hong Kong kungfu actor Jackie Chan, who had already taken part in the relay in 2008 during the Beijing Summer Olympics, again lifted the torch. “I am very proud to carry the flame a second time”said the movie star, referring to a “different feeling” this time.
The flame brings “to the world love and peace” and the relay offers the opportunity that “more people discover Chinese culture through the Great Wall”, noted Jackie Chan. More than 1,000 people began taking turns to carry the flame on Wednesday February 2 through the various sites that are to host competitions, in Beijing and the city of Zhangjiakou, before the opening ceremony on Friday evening, February 4, at the Olympic Stadium, the famous “Bird’s Nest”.
The flame’s journey began in October at the ancient Greek site of Olympia. The ceremony there was disrupted by pro-Tibet demonstrators accusing the country of human rights abuses.
The involvement of a Chinese soldier, involved in a deadly 2020 skirmish with India at a disputed border in the Himalayas, has also sparked Indian anger. The fight had caused the death of at least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers.
To denounce these attacks on fundamental rights, several countries, including the United States, do not send political figures to the Games, but their athletes will take part in the competitions. Beijing is the first city to host both Summer and Winter Games, 14 years after the 2008 edition.