The Olympic flame marched through the Australian capital in an air of passion on Thursday as hundreds of fans followed the torch all the way.

Thousands of supporters from Chinese communities mainly in Sydney and Melbourne flocked to the capital city to cheer for the passing of the Olympic flame.

The last torchbearer Ian Thorpe, five-time gold medalist, lights the cauldron in the Commonwealth Park of the capital city of Canberra, April 24, 2008. Canberra is the 15th stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay.

The red flags and five-ring Olympic banners were besprinkled all through the relay route from the Conciliation Place to Stage 88 as hundreds of passionate Chinese students ran along the relay.

"One World, One Dream and One China" could be seen in placards in the launching and community celebration sites.

It was estimated that over 20,000 from Chinese communities came by bus from cities around to attend the occasion. The relay was smooth except for a couple of arrests on route invaders.

The Chinese national anthem and the aboriginal didgeridoos performance vibrated the setting-off ceremony in Conciliation Place, where an indigenous dance troupe performed a ritual of welcome for the arrival of the Olympic flame.

John Coates, president of the Australian Olympic Committee, delivered a speech in the opening-up. "We witnessed the power of the flame in the year 2000 as it travelled from Uluru to Homebush and burned brightly throughout the Olympic Games in Sydney," said Coats.

"Four years later the great symbol returned to our shores as part of the Athens torch relay and again thousands of Australians celebrated its journey through the streets of Sydney and Melbourne.

"Now it is Canberra's turn. I urge everyone to come out and support the relay. Join in friendship and cheer the runners as they share a magic moment. The flame is a symbol of the Olympic ideals of tolerance, equality a humanity," he added.