Surrounded by a big controversy over the Tibet issue, the Olympic flame, a traditional symbol of the Olympic Games which transmits a spirit of friendship and harmony to the world, has finally reached its home in China, after traveling throughout the five continents.

Last Sunday 4th was the chosen date for the landing of the torch in China after its journey around the world. The touristy city of Sanya in the Chinese province of Hainan was the exact location for the beginning of the torch’s journey which will start its travel throughout China including a visit to the top of Mount Everest within days.

The event gathered some of the most important people in China, not just from sports but also celebrities like the actor Jackie Chan and the current Miss World Zhang Zilin. Among the sports champions present were speed skating olympic champion Yang Yang and basketball star Yi Jianlian (who made his debut in the NBA this year with the Milwaukee Bucks).

A moment of tension was lived when the torch’s fire appeared to go off when Yang was carrying it and the security guards had to relight it. Then, Yang passed the torch to Yi in the middle of the excitement showed by the crowd who were waving national flags.

Source: Article originally published in MediaGambling