The Olympic torch relay is now back in China and Hong Kong, the southern special administrative region, will show you what Asia's world city is like in the 11th year after its return to the motherland.

Sportsmen represent about one third of the 120 torchbearers in the first leg of the torch's trip back in China. Pop stars from the city's glamorous entertainment industry, businessmen and lawmakers were also in the Olympic spotlight.

The following is what some of them said in interviews with Xinhua upon officially being named torchbearers.

"I think the Olympics stand for peace, friendship and fair play."

-- Lee Lai-shan, Hong Kong's first ever Olympic gold medalist. She is to open the relay near the landmark Cultural Center in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

"Fencing is chess with more of a physical side."

"I am hoping I can be at my best in September so that the Chinese national anthem can be heard again in Beijing. But being able to compete in the Games itself is lucky enough. Well, I should say medals will be extra rewards."

-- Yu Chui-yee, winner of four gold medals in Paralympic wheelchair fencing. She is to be the 10th torchbearer in section A of the route, in Kowloon.

"I am going to bring the torch back home and place it in the most prominent spot in my house."

-- Alex Fong Lik-sun, professional swimmer-turned pop singer. He will be the 6th torchbearer, running through a section of the route in Kowloon.