Light the Torch – Beijing Olympics and Other Olympic News

How to be a Torchbearer for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

by Sasha Manuel on June 28th, 2007

Well, there aren’t any EXACT steps, really. There IS a selection criteria, though. Heh.

The selection process isn’t set up to exclude would-be participants but rather it aims to contribute to the promotion of the Olympic Spirit and create a warm and joyful atmosphere for the public in the lead up to the Beijing Olympic Games.

Will it be a uniform sort of thing throughout the world you ask? Well, this much I know, there are set requirements for China, overseas cities and Taipei, Hong Kong, and Macao.

Take a look:

The selection criteria for the Olympic torchbearers have been formulated on the basis of the principles set forth by the IOC and past Games practices. For the relay on the mainland of China, torchbearers should meet the following requirements:

1) Be patriotic and dedicated to the Olympic Movement;

2) Practice the Beijing Olympic Games concepts in daily life and have contributed to the building of a harmonious society;

3) Be distinguished for remarkable feats in his/her profession or community, or have a personal story that can inspire or motivate others;

4) Be willing and dedicated to community services;

5) Be distinguished for contributions to the Olympic Movement or for extraordinary performance at past Olympic Games.

For the relay in overseas cities and Taipei, Hong Kong, and Macao, the torchbearers should meet the following requirements:

1) Uphold the Olympic Spirit and be dedicated to the Olympic Movement;

2) Support the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games;

3) Be distinguished for remarkable feats in his/her profession or community or have a personal story that can inspire or motivate others;

4) Be willing and dedicated to community services;

5) Be distinguished for contributions to the Olympic Movement or for extraordinary performance at past Olympic Games.

The requirements, if you’d notice, aren’t technical at all. They encompass any person in the world. I wonder if I can be a torchbearer in China even when I’m not Chinese? Does my citizenship say I’m un-patriotic? Hmmm. Whadyathink? Hehe. ;)

I just think it’s way too “general”. Heh.

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POSTED IN: Beijing 2008, Light the Torch, Olympic News, Olympic Torch, Summer Olympics