Living Planet Report 2008

Last Sunday at the archaeological site Olympia - near the Temple of Hera the 29th Olympic Games Torch was lit. This was the beginning of the voyage of five months for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which begin Aug. 8.

The first torch bearer will Taekwondo medalist in Athens 2004 - Greek athlete Alexander Nikolaidis who will be tasked to take the torch throughout Greece over a period of six days. Xuejuan Luo, gold medalist China's Olympic swimming was the second bearer, taking the flame from Nikolaidis. The Greek athlete then hand them over to officials at the Chinese Olympic Stadium Kalimarmaro.

Despite the high security measures, the event was obscured by the intervention of pro-Tibet demonstrators who wore two black flags. In addition, three other members of the group of freedom of the press based in Paris, were displaying a banner with the Olympic symbol transformed into handcuffs a clear attempt of disrespect for national symbols. All the activists were arrested by police but later released on bail.

Then they were interviewed and said that the accusations were "absurd and senseless. Reporters Without Borders said:" We were in no way attacking the Olympic spirit or Greece, ". "We were simply protesting against the policy in China during this period of intensifying repression."

Despite the unusual oppositions Chinese mountaineers carry the Olympic flame on top of 8444 meters the highest mountain in the world - Mount Everest. It is certainly a challenge not only for climbers, but destabilize the situation that is lived in Tibet do not make it easier. In the final days of the capital of Tibet - Lhasa has been hit by continuous riots as the people who live in this land claim independence from China.

The torch 137,000 km journey involves more than 27,870 torchbearers who together focused on five continents and 134 cities. It is expected that along the way there will be more pro-Tibetan demonstrations around the world. Some places that are awaiting the torch and that there will be additional ceremonies are: Almaty, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, London, Paris, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, Dar es Salaam, Muscat, Islamabad, New Delhi , Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Canberra, Nagano, Seoul, Pyongyang, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Macao, Tianjin and Beijing once again.

Jacques Rogge - President of International Olympic Committee said during the ceremony "Today will lead to the opening of the first Olympic Games in China, where a fifth of the world's population is longing for them." "The Messengers are citizens, athletes young and old, able or disabled, and members of the Olympic Movement, who are all eager to promote what each of us can contribute to a better world, "he said.