Guangzhou 2010 — Lighting Ceremony

Kang Chenchen holds the torch during the lighting ceremony of the flame for Guangzhou's Asian Games, held at the Juyongguan Great Wall in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2010. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

On October 9, 2010, the flame lighting ceremony was held at the Juyongguan at the Great Wall of China in Beijing. A 22 year old Yunnan Arts University student Kang Chen-chen (康辰晨) was chosen to light the torch. The condition at the time of the lighting was foggy, while she tried to light the torch with a solar mirror with little sunlight. Therefore it took upwards of 2 minutes before the torch flame could come up. Kang received quite a bit of media attention afterwards. Most of it praised the way she handled the situation. The cauldron was then lit-up by president Hu Jintao.

The honor guard carry the Chinese national flag and the official flag of Olympic Council of Asia during the flame lighting ceremony for 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, held at the Juyongguan pass of the Great Wall in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2010. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

Kang Chenchen holds the torch during the lighting ceremony of the flame for Guangzhou's Asian Games, held at the Juyongguan Great Wall in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2010. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

A guard walks with the flame lantern during the lighting ceremony of the flame for the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, held at the Juyongguan Great Wall in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2010. (Xinhua/Gong Lei)

A guard walks with the flame lantern during the lighting ceremony of the flame for the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, held at the Juyongguan Great Wall in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2010. (Xinhua/Gong Lei)

Guangzhou Asian Games 2010 flame lit at Great Wall from here