Zhang Dan/Zhang Hao and ShenXue/Zhao Hongbo, two renowned pairs of figure skating, respectively set out and concluded the Olympic torch relay in Harbin, capital of China's northernmost Heilongjiang province, on Friday.
"We want to live most memorable moments to audience, no matter during figure skating games or today's torch relay," said Zhang Hao.
Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao, silver medallists at the 2008 ISU World Figure Skating Championships and the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games, have been competing together for ten years.
After transferring the sacred flame to Yao Bin, coach of both of the figure skating pairs, Zhang Hao said: "we feel very proud to run the first leg, and it is a great joy to have our dearest coach Mr. Yao to continue the relay."
Harbin, also known as the "ice town" in China, is the hometown for both of the figure skating pairs and their coach.
Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo bringing the end to today's torch relay.
As winner of three years' ISU World Figure Skating Championships and the Olympic bronze medallist for three times, Shen and Zhao made their names a myth on ice rinks.
Besides their great achievements in sports, their love story is also well known to the Chinese households.
In spite of all the honors, Shen and Zhao still hold their long-cherished dream for Olympic gold.
"It's great to be torchbearers at our hometown. It deepens our understanding of the Olympic spirits and we are thinking about to resume systematic training for the 2010 Winter Olympics after the recuperation," said the golden match.
Source: Xinhua
|