A long line formed outside the Beijing 2008 Olympic Flagship Store before its doors even opened Saturday morning, as eager fans waited to get their hands on a scale model of the Beijing Olympic Torch. The model torch, an Olympic licensed product, was released Saturday to celebrate the upcoming torch relay.

  First in line, Mr. Zhang picked up a model torch as soon as the store opened.

"I got here around 4 AM," said Mr. Zhang of Chaoyang District, who was at the front of the line. This would be Zhang's first time purchasing an Olympic licensed product. The uniqueness of the product, which replicates the real torch in terms of design and detail, attracted him.

When the store finally opened its doors at 9 AM, Zhang went straight to the counter to pay for the model torch. A short 20 minutes later, some 90 customers had also joined him as proud new owners of model torches.

Measuring 29 centimeters in length, the scale replica of the torch is made from steel left over from the construction of the National Stadium (or "Bird's Nest"). It is the first Olympic torch 3-D licensed product to be authorized by the International Olympic Committee. The model torch has a limited release of 200,000 and is priced at 2,900 yuan (roughly US$270).

  It's 8:30 AM, and, already, there's a long line.

(BOCOG March 10, 2008)