Photo: Hangzhou torch relay concludes; closing ceremony encourages donations

　　(HANGZHOU, May 18) -- With a victorious smile, Wu Xiaoxuan completed the Hangzhou leg of the 2008 Olympic torch relay on May 18 at 11:30 a.m.

　　The celebrity is the first woman in China's history to take gold at an Olympic Games.

　　208 torchbearers took part in the 15.6 kilometer run through Hangzhou, which highlighted the many beautiful sites around the famous West Lake after starting from the Great Hall of the People. The relay ended at Hangzhou's Dragon Sports Center.

　　Originally, the torch relay through Hangzhou was arranged for a full day; however, after news of the recent earthquake that shook southwest China hit the city, planners shortened the relay to only half a day.

　　At the closing ceremony of the torch relay in the city, BOCOG representative Chen Xiaoya presented Hangzhou with a certificate. Also at the ceremony, Wu, as the last torchbearer, represented all of the city's torchbearers in donating over 500,000 yuan to earthquake relief efforts. Hangzhou mayor Cai Qi reported that Hangzhou's residents have donated over 2 million yuan to help disaster victims.

　　Over 5,000 people took part in the closing gala, which was aimed at encouraging Hangzhou's citizens to support relief efforts.

　　Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is a city famed for its important history and majestic beauty. Marco Polo once claimed that Hangzhou was one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Hangzhou is economically strong, visually enticing, and continually growing.