Chinese President Hu Jintao lights a cauldron with the Olympic torch at a ceremony to start the Olympic torch relay 31 Mar 2008

Performers stage Chinese traditional dance ahead of the welcome ceremony for the Olympic flame and launching of the Beijing Olym 31 Mar 2008

Performers stage Chinese traditional dance ahead of the welcome ceremony for the Olympic flame and launching of the Beijing Olym 31 Mar 2008

Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with Hein Verbruggen, chairman of the Coordination Commission of the International Olym 31 Mar 2008

Chinese President Hu Jintao lights a cauldron with the Olympic torch at a ceremony to start the Olympic torch relay 31 Mar 2008

Chinese President Hu Jintao lights a cauldron with the Olympic torch at a ceremony to start the Olympic torch relay 31 Mar 2008

Olympic men's hurdles champion Liu Xiang holds the torch at Tiananmen Square 31 Mar 2008

Olympic men's hurdles champion Liu Xiang holds the torch at Tiananmen Square 31 Mar 2008

Olympic men's hurdles champion Liu Xiang holds the torch at Tiananmen Square accompanied by President Hu Jintao 31 Mar 2008

Olympic men's hurdles champion Liu Xiang holds the torch at Tiananmen Square 31 Mar 2008

A guard holds the Olympic flame at the Beijing Capital International Airport 31 Mar 2008

Liu Qi (front), President of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2008 Olympic Games, walks off the plane the Olympic flame 31 Mar 2008