Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-06-22

(GOLMUD, June 22) — The curtain closed for the 7.5-km Golmud leg of the Olympic Torch Relay as Li Xiaosong, one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons across China, lit the cauldron at Golmud Central Square. The Olympic torch will visit Qinghai Lake on its second stop in Qinghai.

Golmud is Mongolian for “a place concentrated with rivers.”

The launching ceremony was hosted at the Salt Lake Square. At 9:13, Cega, a Tibetan Antelope Protector, started his run as the first torchbearer.

A closing ceremony was held, after Li lit the cauldron, highlighted by speeches delivered by officials and traditional performances by locals.