Sichuan orphans share relay joy

The Olympic torch yesterday visited Tangshan, Hebei province, a city that in 1976 was devastated by a massive earthquake but it is now thriving.

The first stage of the relay began at the city's sports stadium, traveled through the downtown area and ended at the Anti-seismic Monument, a poignant reminder of the terrible event of 32 years ago that claimed the lives of 240,000 people.

Running the opening leg was Song Zhiyong who before setting off chatted with schoolchildren from Sichuan who were orphaned by the May 12 quake and now live in Tangshan.