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Moscow stage of Olympic torch relay starts

During the first day of the Moscow stage the Olympic torch will pass through the Gorky Park and near the Moscow State University

Photo ITAR-TASS/Alexei Nikolsky

Photo ITAR-TASS/Alexei Nikolsky

MOSCOW, October 7. (ITAR-TASS). – The Moscow stage of the Olympic torch relay ahead of Sochi Winter Games kicked off on Vasilevsky Spusk (Saint Basil descent). At the first segment the torch was entrusted to fivefold Olympic champion in synchronized swimming Anastasia Davydova. Among others, the fire will be carried by twofold Olympic champion in gymnastics Svetlana Khorkina, president of Russia’s Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov, Prince of Monaco Albert II, President of the Russian Tennis Federation Shamil Tarpishchev and threefold Olympic champion in figure skating Irina Rodnina.

During the first day of the Moscow stage the Olympic torch will pass, among other places, through the Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure (Gorky Park), as well as by the main building of the Moscow State University.

The first day of the stage will end about 20:10 (16:10 GMT) at the viewing point in front of the Moscow State University. The last participant of the relay on Monday will be Ivan Urgant, a popular TV presenter.

The Olympic torch will go through all 83 sub-federal units, will take in the low earth orbit and dive into the Baikal Lake. The relay will end February 7 in Sochi, when the Olympic Games kick off.

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