THE flame?lighting ceremony for China’s 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities, and the 9th National Special Olympic Games was held in Guangzhou on Thursday, one month before the opening of the National Games. Representatives from the three host regions — Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao — raised ceremonial torches together to ignite the official cauldron. The “source flame” was extracted and ignited from combustible ice found over 1,500 meters beneath the South China Sea in September, which the organizers described as a technological first for a major sports game. To collect the flame, scientists used a remotely operated device to capture methane seeping from the seabed, form it into hydrate, and then release the gas through a depressurization unit. Solar power was used to fuel the combustion chamber that ignited the plume on the ocean floor. A torch relay will follow in Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen ahead of the Games. Also unveiled on Thursday was the official anthem of the 15th National Games, titled “Onwards With Unstoppable Momentum.” Composed and written by He Muyang, vice chairman of the China Musicians Association and dean of the Jinzhong Conservatory of Music at Shenzhen University, the anthem is performed by actor and singer Wang Yibo together with young vocalists from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. The 15th National Games will be held from Nov. 9 to 21. The 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games are scheduled for Dec. 8-15. Shenzhen, one of the major host cities, will stage a series of high?profile events beginning Oct. 14, including soccer, swimming, equestrian, bicycle motocross (BMX), and boxing. The city will also hold the Games’ closing ceremony Nov. 21 at the Bao’an Happy Theater. Competition highlights in Shenzhen include the men’s under?18 (Oct. 14–25) and men’s under?20 (Nov. 1–12) soccer tournaments. Guangming District will host BMX and equestrian competitions at the Shenzhen Guangming International Equestrian Center and Guangming Science Park, respectively, from Nov. 10–19. (SD News) | 