The Beijing 2008 Olympic Escort Runner Selection Programme

Aim and Scope

The aim of the Beijing Olympic Games Escort Runner Selection Programme is to promote the Olympic Movement through the Olympic Torch Relay, to encourage the Chinese youth to learn, support and participate in the Olympic Games and to showcase their good image. The Escort Runner Selection Programme is only applicable to the relay on the Mainland of China with university and high school students as the primary target. The relay in Overseas Cities and Taipei, Hong Kong and Macao has no escort runners. BOCOG will provide an Escort Runner uniform and a Participation Certificate to each Escort Runner.

Escort Runner Selection Criteria

The Escort Runner is to provide support to the Torchbearers and assist the Torchbearers to complete their relay legs. Escort Runners should meet the following criteria in addition to those for the Torchbearers:

• They must be 17 years of age or older (born before 8 August 1991).

• They must be able to run 3 kilometres in 20 minutes without any difficulty.

• They should be able to keep pace with the Torchbearers.

• They should be able to escort Torchbearers over several legs.

Escort Runner Selection Entities and Selection Method

Escort Runner Selection Entities include provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and the Beijing 2008 Torch Relay Presenting Partners. BOCOG has defined the Escort Runner Criteria, Rules and developed relevant Guidelines for Escort Runner Selection Entities. Escort Runner entities are to conduct an Escort Runner Selection Programme based on the Escort Runner Criteria and relevant Rules provided by BOCOG. Provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities will allocate Escort Runner numbers to universities and high schools and select Escort Runners through the Closed Process. The Beijing 2008 Torch Relay Presenting Partners may select Escort Runners through the Public Process after their Selection Plan being approved by BOCOG. The confirmation process of the Escort Runner will be the same as the Torchbearer's.

Escort Runner Number and Allocation

Two Escort Runners will escort 8 Torchbearers. The total Escort Runner number is 5,000, of which 4,250 for provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, and 750 for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners.

Detailed Information of Escort Runner Number and Allocation

Henan, Shandong, Guangdong and Sichuan: 756, 189 for each

Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing and Tibet: 340, 85 for each

Beijing: 140

Other 22 provinces and autonomous regions: 3,014, 137 for each

Presenting Partners (Coco Cola, Samsung and Lenovo): 750, 250 for each

Total: 5,000