<P>More than 600 other runners will carry the torch before it's handed over to the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games on March 30.</P>
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<TD><IMG src="http://www.cctv.com/program/sportsscene/20080325/images/1206424911087_1206424911087_r.gif" border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR>
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<TD><EM><FONT color=#0000ff>In Olympia, Greece on Monday, the 24-year old Luo took over the torch from <BR>Greek Olympic taekwondo silver medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis, <BR>the first torchbearer.<BR></FONT></EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>
<P>She came in first place at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and now she's the first Chinese torch bearer in the Greek Leg of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay. Dubbed "Queen of the Pool", Luo Xuejuan retired last year. In Olympia, Greece on Monday, the 24-year-old Luo took over the torch from Greek Olympic taekwondo silver medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis, the first torchbearer.</P>
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<TD><IMG alt="Luo was crowned world champion for both the women's 50 and 100 meters breaststroke events in 2001 and 2003 but announced her retirement early last year due to health problems." src="http://www.cctv.com/program/sportsscene/20080325/images/1206424969570_1206424969570_r.gif" border=0></TD></TR>
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<TD><EM><FONT color=#0000ff>Luo was crowned world champion for both the women's 50 and 100 meters <BR>breaststroke events in 2001 and 2003 but announced her retirement early <BR>last year due to health problems.</FONT></EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>
<P>Luo was crowned world champion for both the women's 50 and 100 meters breaststroke events in 2001 and 2003 but announced her retirement early last year due to health problems.</P>
<P>Luo Xuejuan said, "When I took over the torch from the first torchbearer, My biggest feeling is that this is also a culture exchange between Greece and China. We will deliver the Olympic flame to all over the world."</P> |