The plane carrying the Beijing Olympics flame landed in Canberra this
morning for Thursday's torch relay through the heart of the city.
Air China Airbus A330 touched down at Fairbairn Airport about 7.50 a.m.
(AEST) from Jakarta.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, Sports
Minister Kate Ellis, President of the Australian Olympic Committee John Coates
and Chinese ambassador Zhang Junsai were at the airport to meet the sacred
flame.
The Airbus is the official Olympic plane which has been traveling the world
with the flame during the torch relay.
The flame lantern was carried off the plane by Jiang Xiaoyu, Vice President
of Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games and Chinese ambassador Zhang
Junsai.
Indigenous elder Agnes Shea of the Ngunnawal people presented the message
stick to the Chinese officials.
"I welcome the Olympic torch to Australia in the spirit of peace on behalf of
my people, whose history of this places goes back to the beginning of time," Ms
Shea said.
"The words contained within our message stick today are about welcoming our
visitors to our country and of the great peace and good fortune for the Beijing
Olympic torch relay," Ms Shea continued.
"In this way the torch is the message stick of the Olympic movement. We want
the story of the torch while it is Canberra to be one of peace and
understanding.
"The torch is after all promoting a journey of harmony, may its stay here be
one that symbolizes good will for all mankind."
ACT Chief Minister Stanhope said the next 48 hours were an opportunity to
address each other as friends do, with respect and honesty.
"An opportunity to showcase the splendor of this capital city of which we
Canberrans are so proud," he said.
"In a robust and mature democracy such as ours there is no particular danger
in mixed messages."
Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) president John Coates said the
international journey of the flame was the most ambitious and longest route ever
planned for an Olympic torch relay.
Coates said both Australian games - Melbourne 1956 and Sydney 2000 - were
noted for their efficient organization, the quality of competition and the sense
of pervading friendliness.
"In just 107 days, after the flame has completed its awesome journey having
covered an impressive 137,000 kilometers, we will see it burning at the opening
ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games.
"Australia will be proudly represented by a team of 440 athletes ready to
write the next chapter in Australia's rich Olympic history. I can't wait."
Sports Minister Ellis said it was her special duty to welcome the torch and
the Chinese guests on behalf of the Australian government.
"Australia has a long tradition not just of participation in the Olympic
Games but also a great record of success," she said.
"The Olympic spirit is a good one that I hope burns brightly both today and
tomorrow but of course in the Games in Beijing later this year."
Jiang Xiaoyu thanked the Australian hosts and said Australia has held Olympic
Games and understand the spirits of the Olympic Games.