CCTV hostess Zhou Tao (M) serves as the first torchbearer.

    (HUAINAN, May 29) -- Preceded by a moment of silence to remember the victims of the recent earthquake in Sichuan province, the Huainan leg of the Olympic Torch Relay kicked off at 7:10 on Thursday morning at the square of the Huainan Sports and Culture Center, with CCTV hostess Zhou Tao as the first torchbearer.

    There will be 100 torchbearers running the ten-kilometer route on this leg, averaging 82 meters each. Before the start, Yang Zhenchao, the Huainan party secretary, noted the honor and pride of holding the Olympic Torch Relay in Huainan, Anhui province, as the relay has brought the Olympic spirit and passion to the people.

    The relay will run for about two-and-a-half hours and end at 9:35 at the Huainan Sports Center Stadium.