Beijing, 2 Feb (Xinhua) -- On the morning of 2 February, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Torch Relay opened in Beijing Olympic Forest Park. An old man in his seventies completed his more than 80-meter relay activity with a torch on his face. He is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the winner of the national honorary title of "People's Scientist", and the hero of China's aerospace industry.
Torchbearer Ye Peijian in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics torch relay. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jia Haocheng
At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Xu Haifeng shot down China's first Olympic gold, and Ye Peijian was in the United States at the time. "The scene at that time is still vividly remembered. Beijing will become the world's first city to host the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, which shows that our growing strength in China has been internationally recognized, and we have the ability to run the Olympic Games well. As a Winter Olympic torchbearer, I am incredibly proud. Ye Peijian said.
"I want to show the world the style of our space workers through the torch relay." Ye Peijian told reporters that when he learned that he would become the torchbearer of the Winter Olympics, he felt very honored, which was not only a recognition of his personal work, but also an affirmation of the mainland's aerospace industry.
Some of the torchbearers took a group photo after the pass. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Junqing
He frankly said that the olympic spirit of passing on the torch and the spirit of spaceflight are common. "We learn from the older generation of scientists such as Mr. Qian Xuesen and continue to grow under their leadership. Today, we have also witnessed the younger generation of astronauts not only flying to the moon, but also extending their tentacles to Mars. Ye Peijian said, "I think the Olympic Games is to transmit the positive energy of mankind, and pass on the torch one stick after another." ”
Editors: Wang Hengzhi, Yu Sihui, Cao Yibo, Zhang Xijin (Intern)