Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-07-13 From: Xinhuanet

Torchbearer Liu Yan runs with the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Qiqihar, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, on July 12, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Torchbearer Liu Yan (Front) runs with the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Qiqihar, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, on July 12, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

QIQIHAR, Northeast China, July 13 (Xinhua) — The Olympic torch kicked off its relay in Qiqihar, the second largest city in China’s northeastern Heilongjiang Province, at 8:10 on Sunday morning.

Liu Yan, winner at the 2008 National Grand Prix Figure Skating, ran the first leg of the relay, starting from the Municipal Public Square in Qiqihar, which is well-known for red-crowned cranes.

Torchbearer Liu Yan (C) displays the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Qiqihar, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, on July 12, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhua)