Let the clouds give way, the rain wait, and the sun shine.
In spite of meticulous preparedness for the unexpected, we pray for favorable weather at 11 this morning in Ancient Olympia, Greece, so the High Priestess for the torch lighting ceremony there can successfully obtain a "mother flame" for the XXIX Summer Olympic Games.
We wish for a perfect overture to the upcoming sports fiesta in Beijing, for which our entire nation has been waiting in anticipation.
Still vivid in our memories are the tearful faces following the failure of the country's first bid to host the Olympic Games, and the outburst of joy when Beijing was announced the host city of the 2008 Games.
Over the years since, Beijing, and in fact the country as a whole, has tried its utmost to honor its promise to deliver a perfect Summer Olympic Games.
Ultra modern venues for competitions, such as the main stadium, or the Bird's Nest as is popularly known, and the swimming center, or Water Cube, are only part of the preparations for the dream events. The city of Beijing is also undergoing an expensive facelift.
The most important legacy of the Beijing Games, however, may very likely be its broad base of popular endorsement and mass involvement. Official awareness campaigns have played a big role in popularizing the Games among the citizens. Besides, the municipal authorities of Beijing have also gone to great lengths to prepare local residents for the Games.
Years back, they inaugurated a city-wide English-learning program so that overseas guests could receive assistance from our citizens. We have seen our senior citizens, many in their 60s or older, learning foreign languages. They are only some of the hospitable Beijingers who want to contribute their services to the Games.
Thanks in part to society-wide voluntary involvement, Beijing is ready to embrace the sacred Olympic Flame. The 137-day torch relay is a great opportunity for the world to revisit the noble ideals and spirit of the Olympic movement, which emphasizes peace and harmony. For the first time, we will witness the Olympic Flame brought to Mount Qomolangma, the highest peak in China and the world.
We wish the Olympic Flame a safe and enlightening journey around the globe.
