BOCOG Official: Torchbearer selection process basically complete

Jiang Xiaoyu talks about the Torch Relay.

Full coverage: Officials brief on torch relay program

(BEIJING, March 19) -- The nation's various provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities), Torch Relay Worldwide Partners, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), BOCOG, the overseas torch relay cities, various national Olympic committees (NOCs) and other selection entities have done their parts to organize the selection process since the torchbearer selection program began on June 23, 2007. As a result, the selection of torchbearers is basically complete and torchbearer allocation has begun, Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice-president of BOCOG, told a press conference on the Torch Relay on Wednesday.

Regarding torchbearer selection outside the mainland of China, the NOCs or relay cities of 16 countries (regions) have completed the selection process and submitted their name lists, and five other selection entities have also submitted name lists.

The selection process involves four steps: nomination (or registration), review and approval, review and record, and notification. Torchbearers should uphold the Olympic Spirit; be passionate about the Olympic Movement; support the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games; be eager about volunteer service, have high moral character; be dedicated to community service; be distinguished for achievements in his or her profession or for a personal story that serves to inspire or motivate others; be distinguished for contributions to the Olympic cause or for extraordinary performance at past Olympic Games.

For the selection in the mainland of China, 11,534 torchbearers have been chosen from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

The torchbearers are model workers, scientists, elite entrepreneurs and others who have made contributions to society, as well as well-known personalities and ordinary, everyday people. They range in age from 14 to 94, and represent all ethnic groups in China. Foreigners, compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese who have made major contributions to China's reform and development are part of the torchbearer team.

Worldwide Partners Coca Cola, Samsung and Lenovo have operated their own torchbearer selection processes with preliminary review, interview, open ballot and final selection procedures. Together they have selected 4,221 torchbearers whose actions have demonstrated dedication to the Olympic Spirit and the development of a harmonious society.

Coca Cola's public selection process resulted in 1.9 million nominees and 310 million votes in the public ballot. In addition, the company sponsored a torch relay tour across 110 cities in which over two million people took part.

Samsung's public selection process made use of the Internet and mobile phone, whereby nominations were accepted via a website and text messages. Some 10,000 people took part in the process. In addition, Samsung selected 250 torchbearers from overseas who are not Chinese citizens.

Lenovo's torchbearer selection process sought to "find people who possess the Olympic Spirit of continuous discovery in order to make contributions to the creation of a harmonious nation." Through the Internet, China Central Television (CCTV) and cooperation from 31 media organizations and Lenovo outlets across the nation, the company attracted 960,000 registrants nationwide.

The selection processes for the IOC, the COC, BOCOG and other selection entities have also gone well.