(August 7, 2008)—The Olympic flame has made one of its final relays on the eve of the Olympic Games opening ceremony as torchbearers carried it along the ancient Great Wall of China.

After a short ceremony, hundreds of fans waving yellow and red pompoms cheered on the first torchbearer, Li Zhonghua, one of China's most famous test pilots.

Eighteen runners carried the torch along the Great Wall as 2,008 gray pigeons were released in the air.

The 15-minute run along the ancient bricks brought the torch one step closer to ending its long and contentious global tour. It officially concludes Friday night with the lighting of the cauldron during the opening ceremonies of the 29th games in Beijing.