Sanya (China): The 2008 Olympic torch relay kicked off in this southern city of Hainan province Sunday morning, the first leg of the relay in mainland China.

At the Fire Phoenix Square of the Phoenix Island, China's short track speed skating Olympic champion Yang Yang became the first torchbearer.

"I felt both excited and nervous to be the first torchbearer in the Chinese mainland," said Yang, the first Chinese gold medallist in the Winter Olympic Games.

Yang won two gold medals in the women's 500 and 1,000 metre short track speed skating at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games to end China's gold drought at the Winter Olympics.

A total of 208 torchbearers will run through the 30.09-km route that will end at the scenic spot of Tianya Haijiao, passing the Crown of Beauty Center, Haiyue Square of Sanya Gulf and Haihong Square.

The flame will go to Wuzhishan city Monday, and arrive in Haikou, the capital city of Hainan province on Tuesday.

Source : IANS