The Olympic torch relay successfully concluded in Wuhan, the first leg in central China's Hubei province, on Saturday.

Chinese world gymnastics champion Yang Wei opened the 20-kilometer relay as the first torchbearer in the city.

Before the relay started, a total of 208 torchbearers paid silent tribute to victims in the Sichuan earthquake. Charity boxes were set up at the Hankou River Beach to collect donations for the quake-hit region.

The eighth torchbearer Meng Fan, a local policeman, just came back from the relief work in Sichuan.

"Children in the quake-hit regions, you will get the most care and love from around the country. You will enjoy the happiest Children's Day on Sunday. Forget the past. You will have a better tomorrow."

Chen Jing is an Olympic table tennis champion.

"I find kids in quake-hit areas very brave. I hope they can recover soon, especially psychologically, to rebuild their homes."

Nicknamed the "River City". Wuhan is the most important city on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and serves as a gateway to China's hinterlands.

The sacred Olympic flame will continue its tour in the cities of Yichang and Jingzhou the following two days in Hubei Province.