The Asian Economist

Nanjing - (南京）- 2008年5月27号- 北京的二十九 奥林匹克 的火炬来 南京。

Nanjing- Beijing Olympic Torch Comes to Nanjing 27/05/2008.

On the 27th of May 2008, the Olympic Torch Relay made its way to Nanjing. Nanjing is a historic city, one of China’s Four Ancient Capitals, and witness to some of the most horrific war crimes in human history. As a result, Nanjingers are some of the most diplomatic, patriotic, and kind people in China you could come across. With China hosting the 2008 Olympics in August 2008, Nanjingers were more than proud on this day. I recall reading a BBC article where the author stated that the reaction of Nanjingers would be something out of this world when the torch arrived- this was quite true.

As an Asian, I was extremely proud to experience this historic event in Nanjings long history. This is something Nanjingers have had coming for a long time - that they deserved. The Torch Landed in the early hours at Nanjing Airport in the Maigaoqiao district before being shuttled to the Nanjing Olympic Stadium for the torch transfer ceremonies at around 7am.

We left Nanjing University at 6am sharp to get to the Nanjing Olympic Stadium. By 6.30am, when we arrived at the Gulou Train Station (鼓楼火车站） the train was packed already, and picked up more passengers on the way to the Olympic Stadium which was the last stop on the Nanjing subway line. Most people either had t-shirts that said “I love China”, “Beijing 2008 Olympics”, “中国加油！！“ , as well as massive Chinese flags, bandana’s on their heads. There was a really jovial atmosphere.

We exited the  subway stop and walked to the Eastern Gate of the Olympic Stadium where the Torch would exit. There were three helicopters flying around the stadium for two purposes; to film the event, and for security. There were thousands of people around the Olympic Stadium, some even climbed onto the street lamps to get a better view. Even the police were cheering. We got to a decent viewpoint where I climbed on top of my buddy’s shoulders with both cameras to snap shots of the event. Several times, the crowd rallied chanting “中国加油，四川加油！！！“，“中国万岁！！”. It was really addictive.

At 8am sharp the torch came down the East Gate Driveway and exited, beginning the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in Nanjing. We saw the first exchange in the Olympic Relay. Right afterwards the crowd split into two. One half headed back to the subway station to get to other points north of the stadium and the other half followed the torch. We headed back to the subway station and got of at Xinjiekou. LCD screens inside the subway cars displayed the progress of the torch relay.

We ended up outside Nanjing University and walked through the campus to get to Shanghai Lu（上海路）．This was where the torch would pass through to get to its final destination at the Gulou District Drum Tower. There were thousands of Chinese lining the sidewalks, chanting ‘Zhongguo Jia You!’.

1 hour later the first portion of the Olympic procession came by, the crowd got louder and louder. People were really excited. Then the Fuwa came past, and finally the torch bearer. At this point it was really hard to take photo’s since we were all jumping and cheering.

The relay in Nanjing lasted just over 4 hours, but it was a hallmark in Nanjing’s history and will be remembered in Nanjing for quite some time.