At Wednesday's ceremony, IOC President Rogge stressed that the relay provides a rare opportunity for ordinary citizens to become involved in the Games, adding that 15,000 to 20,000 people -- "anonymous citizens of all countries who are also protagonists of the Games" -- were expected to join the relay.
In cadrul ceremoniei de miercuri, presedintele Comitetului International Olimpic, Rogge, a subliniat faptul ca traseul tortei ofera cetatenilor obisnuiti posibilitatea de a se implica in Jocurile Olimpice, adaugand ca 15.000-20.000 de persoane -- "cetateni anonomi ai tuturor tarilor, care devin de asemenea protagonisti ai Olimpiadei" -- se vor alatura de-a lungul traseului.