The opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic Games is expected to be epic and magical as is the history and tradition of China, said Alexandros Nikolaidis, Olympic taekwondo athlete from Greece and the first torchbearer for Beijing Olympic Torch Relay.

Alexandros Nikolaidis at the  Lighting Ceremony of Beijing Olympic Games Flame in March 24, 2008 in Ancient Olympia.

 In a recent exclusive interview, Nikolaidis told Xinhua "I will watch the opening ceremony, and in fact I am really very disappointed I will not be able to watch it live, as my team goes to China on August 11th." 

The Beijing Games will be Nikolaidis' 3rd Olympic Games. "I heard some things about the environment issues. But I have deep faith in the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games that everything that could be done has been done in order to make everything perfect for us, athletes." said Nikolaidis.

He said "I don't really worry about the food, as in the Olympic villages there are all types of food, plus the fact that I am a great fan of the Chinese cuisine!"

Nikolaidis won silver medal in taekwondo in 2004 Athens Olympic Games. At the Lighting Ceremony of Beijing Olympic Games Flame in March 24, 2008 in Ancient Olympia, he received the holy flame from the High Priestess and started the torch relay for Beijing Olympic Games.

The 2-meter tall young man still feels proud to be chosen as the first torchbearer for Beijing Olympic Games.