Who will be lighting the Olympic torch in China today?
Legendary Chinese gymnast lights Olympic flame in Beijing 21:34 | 08/ 08/ 2008 Print version BEIJING, August 8 (RIA Novosti) – Former Chinese gymnastics champion Li Ning lit the Olympic flame high above the National Stadium in Beijing on Friday to mark the start of the 2008 Summer Games. As the torch arrived at the Bird’s Nest a relay of Chinese athletes carried it full circle around the stadium before passing it to Li Ning. In breathtaking scenes Li Ning held the torch aloft as he was lifted hundreds of feet above the ground on ropes. Once in the air he made another circle of the stadium imitating a running torch bearer. Hanging beneath the cauldron he touched the torch to a fuse, sending plumes of fire high above the stadium and lighting the Olympic flame. Li Ning became a hero for China in 1984, when he won six medals – three gold, two silver and one bronze – at the Los Angeles Olympics. An ankle injury forced him into retirement in 1988. The dazzling opening ceremony, which lasted
