At the age of 17, Kamaltürk Yalqun was chosen to help carry the Olympic flame ahead of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Yalqun recalls being proud to participate in China's first Olympics. Those feelings vanished after his father disappeared. In 2016, Yalqun Rozi, an editor of books on Uyghur literature, was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to “subvert” the Chinese state.
In the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics — the first ever held in China — Tibetan activists had demonstrated against Beijing's oppression of their community. “Whether you were a volunteer, or a torchbearer, or whether you were just attending as an audience , everyone was so proud of themselves for being able to be part of the Games," he said.The morning of the run was on a hot July day and went by “in a blink,” he said. He and others ran a section that started at the eastern end of the Great Wall on the coast in the city of Qinhuangdao.Each runner was given a red, aluminum torch, decorated with a repeating cloud motif.
His days in Beijing passed quickly. He was one of 70 youths selected to represent China at an Olympic Youth Camp. He made friends with students from other countries as the 400-plus group went on tours of historic sites like the Forbidden City and newly built shopping malls.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Channing Tatum Talks Break From Acting, Admits He Was Burned Out After These Two FilmsHe also discusses just how much the unrealized 'Gambit' film still affects him today
Read more »
Olympic hockey coach with Alaska ties tests positive for COVID-19 in ChinaSteve Thompson, the goaltending coach for Team USA’s women’s ice hockey team, has been in isolation for six days. He’s one of the dozens of coaches and athletes whose Olympic experience has been shaped by China’s “Zero COVID” policy.
Read more »
COVID tests, isolation hotels and a burner phone: An ADN reporter’s trip to BeijingNat Herz’s trip to China to cover the Olympic Games is a reporting trip unlike any other he’s been on.
Read more »
Chinese human rights activists back bill to crack down on Big Tech, China app market controlRepublican Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal have sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee announcing growing bipartisan support for a bill that would rein in the grip that Big Tech and China have on app markets.
Read more »
Bartenders in Beijing Olympics Bubble Are Serving Drinks in Hazmat SuitsBar staffers are taking no chances as China seeks to keep Olympic guests confined to a “closed loop” during the Winter Games.
Read more »
White House does not mention 'China' in statement supporting Dem's China anti-competition billThe White House's two-page statement of support did not once use the word 'China' – a concerning oversight for many Republicans who claim the COMPETES bill is all bark and no bite.
Read more »