Local residents have geared up for the Beijing Olympic torch relay, which is scheduled to take place in this southern mainland city on May 7. Meanwhile, the host city of the 2010 Asian Games has outlined specific measures to welcome the sacred flame.

"I can feel a strong atmosphere of welcoming the torch after participating in the trial relay recently. A great number of people, including many foreigners, thronged the streets on the day," said Wu Chubing, a staff of the Guangzhou Youth Volunteer Association.

Prior to the official relay next week, the city held a trial relay on April 23, which, according to local organizers, was a great success.

The association has chosen nearly 4,000 volunteers to serve at the torch relay next week. "They will provide the best services and give their best wishes to the relay," Wu said.

Meanwhile, the finalized torch relay route in Guangzhou has been released. It covers 40.82 kilometers and the run will last about nine hours, local organizers said.

A total of 208 torch bearers, including former Guangdong province-born Olympic champions Guan Weizhen, Yang Jinghui and Chen Weiqiang, together with 48 escorts, will take part in the event.

Starting from the Baiyun International Convention Center and finishing at the Tianhe Sports Center, the entire relay route forms the shape of five rams.

Guangzhou is commonly known as the City of Rams.

The relay will cover many places of interest with strong local characteristics, such as the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall at the city's highest mountain - the Baiyun Mountain,the Pearl River and the ancient Beijing Road.

"The specially-designed route will offer the best chance to appreciate the city's charm. I will, without a doubt, join locals to cheer and applaud the torch relay," said Chen Weiqi, a businessman from East China's Shandong province.

Chen is attending the ongoing China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou. "I will not leave for Shandong until the torch relay is over," Chen said.

At the time of the Guangzhou torch relay, there may be another Olympic flame going to the top of the Mount Everest. In other words, there may be two concurrent torch relays, which is against the International Olympics Committee rules.

Therefore, when the torch is reaching the top of the Mount Everest, the Guangzhou relay may have to stop. Local organizers said that details are yet to be determined.

After Guangzhou, the torch is scheduled to arrive in Shenzhen, Huizhou and Shantou in the Pearl River Delta region from May 8 to 10.

Editor: Yan