Overseas Chinese cheer for the torch relay in Canberra, Austrilia, April 24, 2008. Canberra is the 15th stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay.

Before the cauldron was extinguished, local and international dignitaries had praised the relay as successful and wonderful.

High security profile was in place to prevent major disruptions, with some 1,000 security personnel deployed to safeguard the historical event for Australia.

The whole ceremony lasted nearly three hours, opened with Chinese and Australian dances and songs.

The last torchbearer Ian Thorpe, five-time gold medalist, lights the cauldron in the Commonwealth Park of the capital city of Canberra today. Canberra is the 15th stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2008)