Shanghai Daily news

The 2007 Shanghai Special Olympics Games organizers revealed in Beijing yesterday the design of the torch and logo for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which will start on June 29 in Athens.

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, who is the honorary chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Games, officially unveiled the torch.

Inspired by the traditional Chinese ornamental pillar "huabiao," the Flying Dragon torch is the brainchild of US designer Jeff Elliot.

It features a golden dragon and the Great Wall on the crimson handle. One side of the golden torch top has the Games logo carved on it, while the other has the run's logo "Flame of Hope."

The torch is 40.6 centimeters long and weighs 1.36 kilograms.

Its design symbolizes that China has become a part of the entire harmonious world which is typified by the Special Olympics' holy flame, said the Games' Organizing Committee.

The logo has three primary colors - red, blue and yellow - signifying the three colors blending with each other to create a colorful world.

The torch in the middle of the logo symbolizes law-enforcement officers' care for the intellectually disabled, and Special Olympic athletes' persevering spirit, said the committee.

Before coming to China, the flame will travel around the world after being lit on the Pynx of the Acropolis in Athens.

The committee hasn't announced which countries will be involved in the torch run.

The flame will arrive in China on September 26. After a ceremony held in Beijing on the day, the flame will be sent to 10 cities around the country, including Harbin, Dalian, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Jiaxing and Wenzhou.

Then the cities will have the torch carried around their local communities from September 27, and the flame will reach its Shanghai destination on September 29.

The last period of the torch run is expected to be carried out in Shanghai from September 30 until October 1. The flame will be passed throughout the city's 18 districts and a county by four running teams.

On October 2, the "Flame of Hope" will arrive at the Shanghai Stadium where the Games' opening ceremony will be held.

"We believe this will be the longest Law Enforcement Torch Run, with the most people participating, covering the widest regions, and exerting the deepest influences on society," said Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng at yesterday's ceremony in Beijing.

Running from October 2 until 11, the Games have attracted more than 10,000 athletes and coaches from about 160 countries and regions.More than 40,000 volunteers will provide services.