Torch relay for 15th National Games to begin simultaneously in four cities

The torch relay for the 15th National Games will officially kick off simultaneously in four cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao starting Nov 2.

Tang Guohua, deputy director of major events and volunteer service department with the Executive Committee for the Guangdong Division of the 15th National Games, said the torch relay will be run by 200 torchbearers, with 50 running in each city and each torchbearer running a distance from 50 to 100 meters. Tang made the remarks at a news conference in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Monday.

After the torch relay, representatives from the four cities will return the relayed flame to Guangzhou, where the opening ceremony will be held on Nov 9. Around 5 pm, a simple flame merging ceremony will be held at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center to connect the on-site torch relay and the main torch lighting at the opening ceremony.

"In terms of the route design, it not only emphasizes historical heritage but also highlights the contemporary spirit, and it reflects an international flair while being filled with the vibrant vitality of everyday life," said Tang.

Torchbearers will run past iconic architectures and scenic spots of each city, he said.

"And the torchbearers will encompass representatives from advanced model workers, grassroots frontliners, and sports professionals, as well as outstanding individuals from the sectors such as education, science and technology, culture, and healthcare," said Tang.

Pun Weng-kun, coordinator of Macao's preparatory office, said the relay in Macao will cover a total distance of about 2.6 kilometers.

The route not only connects multiple representative historical and cultural landmarks but also showcases Macao's unique charm as a confluence of Chinese and Western cultures, he said.

Earlier this month, the source flame was created using flammable ice collected from the Haima cold seep in the South China Sea at a depth of 1,522 meters, marking the first time in world history that the catalyst of a "source flame" had been directly obtained from the ocean floor.

This year marks the first time the National Games to be jointly held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.