Proud moments for relay torchbearers

Ask any Olympic torchbearer, and they'll tell you it is the utmost privilege to carry the sacred flame and take part in this important tradition.

Paveena Thongsuk, the first Thai torchbearer, was so delighted at the Bangkok opening ceremony on Saturday that he must have taken more than 100 photos with our reporters and local spectators. A second-generation Chinese from Hainan, Thongsuk - or Xing Yiqun - communicated with reporters partly in Mandarin, expressing his best wishes for the Games in Beijing.

During his run, the former Olympic gold medalist couldn't wipe the smile off his face, so much that even our attendant beside him smiled all along.