Olympic torch carried through Jinan in Shandong province -- china.org.cn

The Olympic torch was passed on in Jinan, capital city of east China's Shandong Province on Wednesday.

The first torchbearer Gong Xiaobin receives the torch during the Torch Relay in Jinan, Shandong province, on July 23.

The first torchbearer Gong Xiaobin receives the torch during the Torch Relay in Jinan, Shandong province, on July 23.

The torch relay kicked off at 8:10 a.m. Gong Xiaobin, coach of the Shandong Gold Basketball Club, was the first to carry the torch.

The last torchbearers Guo Jinjin and Wang Feng light the cauldron during the Torch Relay in Jinan, Shandong province, on July 23.

The last torchbearers Guo Jinjin and Wang Feng light the cauldron during the Torch Relay in Jinan, Shandong province, on July 23.

234 torchbearers in all took part in this leg, including 2004 Athens Olympic Gold Medalist Xing Huina. Xing, who did not qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics due to injury, had a chance to participate in the Olympics in another way.

Olympic Champion Wu Minxia, who is preparing for the Games, also took part. The 13.5 kilometers relay ended at the Qilu software park.

"Diving Queen" Guo Jingjing along with Wang Feng lit the cauldron at the relay's end. The torch will now head to Henan province.

(CCTV July 24, 2008)