Jackie Chan carries the Olympic torch atop the Great Wall of China

Reuters

The Olympic torch relay began its second day on Thursday atop the Great Wall of China, with Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan and Chinese Olympic medalists among those taking turns carrying the flame along a shortened route. for three days because of Covid-19.

The torch relay that will open the Winter Games from February 4 to 20 is much more modest than the relay for the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, a tour that was interrupted by protests.

Olympic table tennis gold medalist Ma Long and two-time taekwondo gold medalist Wu Jingyu were among those who carried the red and silver spiral torch along the Badaling section of the Great Wall, where the morning temperature of Thursday was minus 11 degrees Celsius.

Chan, 67, a Hong Kong action and comedy star known for his support of the Beijing government, was identified in the official press release with his Chinese name Chen Gangsheng.

“I woke up at 4 am. This is my fourth Olympics. I’m very happy. I’m cold too,” Chan told reporters after his run along the wall.

Badaling, the most visited section of the wall by tourists, is located 70 km northwest of central Beijing, in the Yanqing district, close to the competition venues that will be used for the Games.

The torch will still be taken to Zhangjiakou, in neighboring Hebei province, where most of the Olympic snow events will be held. The relay will end with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Games on Friday.

Because of Covid-19, the Games are taking place within a “closed circuit”, keeping competitors and people connected with the Olympics away from the public.