Starting from June 25, a total of 21,880 torchbearers will be selected from around the world by various organizations and entities. There are two methods for such a worldwide selection process. The first one is done through recommendations by various organizations and institutions. And the second is an open process, in which public recommendations are accepted. Additionally, 5,000 escort runners will be selected on the Chinese mainland exclusively for this portion of the relay.

Internal Nomination Process

This system will require the Selection Entity to complete the Nomination Process internally.

The nominees complete the Torchbearer Application Form provided by BOCOG. This form contains the basic personal information and a personal story of approximately 100 words to explain the reason(s) for the nomination. The Application Form needs to be submitted to the Selection Entity for review and approval, including the performance of necessary legal procedures. The Torchbearer list will finally be submitted to BOCOG for approval and record at the time scheduled.

Public Process

This is an open process available to all community members who can nominate to become Torchbearers either on the website or at the specially designated offices. A Judging Process will then be set up to determine the final Torchbearers.

To ensure the integrity of the Selection Process, the Selection Entities need to publicize the Nomination Method, Torchbearer Selection Criteria, Rules and Regulations and Torchbearer Application Forms provided by BOCOG. A judging panel will be set up for the Application Forms. The composition of the panel should be authoritative and representative of the community. No panelist is to become the Torchbearer of the Selection Entity where he/she serves as a panelist. The size of the panel should be determined in line with the volume of Application Forms so as to ensure timely completion of the Reviewing Process. The Application Forms will be submitted to the Selection Entity for review and approval, including the performance of necessary legal procedures. The Torchbearer list will finally be submitted to BOCOG for approval and record at the time scheduled.

The Selection Entities can choose either one of the two methods or use a combination of both to conduct the Selection Process.

Table 1: Total Torchbearer Allocation

Table 2: Torchbearer Allocation for the Relay on the Mainland of China

Table 3: Torchbearer Allocation for the Relay in Overseas Cities and China's Taipei, Hong Kong and Macao

 (BOCOG, June 25, 2007)