Wang Yifu, head coach of the national shooting team, on Friday had the honor of running the first leg of the Olympic torch relay in Anshan.

Stilt-walkers and Yangge dancers - a traditional folk dance - entertain the crowds during the torch relay in Anshan, Liaoning province, on Friday. (China News Service)

The 48-year-old native of the city is a double Olympic gold medalist, having taken the top prize in Los Angeles in 1992, and in Athens, 12 years later.

"I have taken part in six Olympics as an athlete, but this time I will be part of this great event as a coach, and in my own country.

"I know my team will do its very best and give a good performance," he said.

Wang's relay leg began at the central square of Jade Buddha Park at the foot of the Anshan Mountain, from which the city gets its name and which is said to resemble the shape of a horse's saddle.

The park is home to the world's largest jade sculpture of the Buddha, which weighs in at more than 260 tons.

Anshan and its neighboring cities are known for women's wrestling, so it was no surprise to see several top grapplers among Friday's 175 torchbearers.

Two of them were former Olympic champions, - Sun Fuming, who won gold in Atlanta in 1996; and Yuan Hua, who took the top spot in Sydney in 2000.

"My heart has always been in wrestling. It's a pity I won't be competing as an athlete this time, but I'll do my best in my new job," Yuan, who coaches the Liaoning Women's Wrestling Team, said.

Outside the sports world, Anshan is best known for the Anshan Iron and Steel Co, one of the largest steel producers in China.

Dozens of its workers and managers were among the city's torchbearers.

On Saturday, the Olympic torch will move to Dalian, the final leg in Liaoning province, and then on to Qingdao, the first of five cities in Shandong province that will host the relay in the coming days.

(China Daily July 19, 2008)