Guangzhou, September 1 - The Guangzhou Asian Para Games Organising Committee (GAPGOC) launched its selection campaign for torchbearers at a press conference on Wednesday (September 1), announcing that the Torch Relay of the 2010 Asian Para Games will take place in Guangzhou from December 3 to 11.
GAPGOC holds a press conference on Wednesday (September 1).
Yang Wu, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Guangzhou Municipal People's Congress and Director of the Torch Relay Operation Centre of GAPGOC, revealed that the flame will be lit on the sightseeing platform of the new Guangzhou TV Tower on December 3 (International Day of Persons with Disabilities) and presented to local citizens from December 4 to 9, and that the Torch Relay will be held in the Guangzhou Science City and Asian Games Town on December 10 and 11.
There will be 660 torchbearers, no less than 20 per cent of whom will be disabled ones, according to the Selection Plan of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games Torchbearers announced by Guan Weizhen, Deputy Director General of the Guangzhou Municipal Sport Bureau and Deputy Director of the Torch Relay Operation Centre of GAPGOC.
The Torch for the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games
Ms Guan said the selection of torchbearers for the Asian Para Games will not involve a quota system on the nationality of candidates, all of whom will be recommended before October 15 by the National Paralympic Committee of China, Asian Paralympic Committee, National Paralympic Committees of Asian countries and regions, Guangzhou Municipal Sport Bureau, Guangzhou Disabled Persons' Federation, GAPGOC and three other designated bodies. Then GAPGOC will review the background of the candidates and unveil the list of torchbearers.
An eligible candidate must meet the following criteria:
1. Be physically able to finish the distance required for the Torch Relay (disabled candidates must be able to finish the distance with supporting equipment like the wheelchair or with the help of other people);
2. Be 14 years old or over (born before December 12, 1996) in principle;
3. Be dedicated to the Olympic Movement and support the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games;
4. Be distinguished for remarkable feats in his/her profession or community, or for a personal story that serves to inspire or motivate others;
5. Be dedicated to the promotion of welfare for persons' with disabilities and be distinguished for contributions to this cause;
6. Have a letter of consent signed by a parent or guardian if under the age of 18.
Local residents will have the opportunity to meet the torchbearers during the flame presentation events from December 4 to 9 in Liwan District, Baiyun District and the Guangzhou Administration Centre for Paralympic Sports.
The Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games will open on December 12 and close on December 19.
(Wang Lei)
