Chinese in Canberra for Torch Relay planning | Australian Olympic Committee

Chinese officials organising the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay have arrived in Canberra to plan the Australian leg in the national capital next year.

Led by the Ms Ming Zhang the six-strong delegation will meet with the ACT Chief Minister, John Stanhope, Tuesday along with the Vice- President of the Australian Olympic

Chinese officials organising the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay have arrived in Canberra to plan the Australian leg in the national capital next year.

Led by the Ms Ming Zhang the six-strong delegation will meet with the ACT Chief Minister, John Stanhope, Tuesday along with the Vice- President of the Australian Olympic Committee Ron Harvey who is heading the taskforce organising the Canberra leg.

They will inspect the proposed course which includes Federal Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial and other Canberra icons.

Australian Di Henry who was key organiser of the Sydney Torch Relay in 2000 is traveling with the Chinese contingent as a special adviser. The Beijing Torch is due in Canberra on April 23 2008.

The Canberra relay will take place on April 24 with 80 torchbearers carrying the flame over a five hour period.

The Australian Olympic Committee intends to invite older, present day and future Olympians to run with the flame.

“Invitations will be issued soon,” Harvey said today.

AOC