Olympic torch relay starts in London

LONDON, April 6 (Xinhua) -- British champion rower Sir Steve Redgrave started the Olympic torch relay in London on Sunday, taking it out of Wembley stadium for the London leg of its journey to Beijing.

The first torchbearer Steve Redgrave (L), quintuple Olympic gold medallist rower, holds the torch as Deputy Mayor of London Nicky Gavron smiles at Wembley Stadium, London, capital of Britain, April 6, 2008. London is the fourth stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Eighty athletes, entertainers and dignitaries will relay the torch along a 31-mile route from Wembley Stadium to the O2 Arena in Greenwich.

Those taking part in the relay include 10 Olympic champions, among them are marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe, 18 schoolchildren and public figures such as news reader Sir Trevor McDonald and musician Vanessa Mae.

Deputy Mayor of London Nicky Gavron (R) gives the torch to the first torchbearer Steve Redgrave, quintuple Olympic gold medallist rower, at Wembley Stadium, London, capital of Britain, April 6, 2008. London is the fourth stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes will run the last stage of the route to complete the relay before lighting the Olympic cauldron in front of 5,000 spectators.

On its journey through the city the torch will be carried on foot, on an open-topped double decker bus and by light railway past some of London's most iconic sights.

Despite bitter temperatures and sleet, impromptu carnivals are expected as the torch passes iconic landmarks such as Nelson's Column, St Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge.