Olympic torch leaves Shijiazhuang for Qinhuangdao

(SHIJIAZHUANG, July 29) -- Last torchbearer Cai Yalin, Shooting gold medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, reached Hebei Province Gymnasium just before 12:30 p.m. to light the Olympic cauldron, marking the end of the Torch Relay here.

The Torch Relay team will head to the Olympic co-host city of Qinhuangdao next to prepare for the "Journey of Harmony" there on Wednesday.

Hebei province welcomed the Olympic torch in the morning as first torchbearer Li Meisu set off from the Xibaipo Memorial Museum here at 8:15 a.m.

Li, an Olympic bronze medalist, three-time Asian champion and 12-time Chinese champion in Shot Put, is one of 188 torchbearers scheduled to cover the 9.3-km relay route in Shijiazhuang.