Every time the starting ceremony began, people first paid a one-minute silent tribute to the victims in the quake, a death toll expected to exceed 80,000 according the latest report.

Among the slogans hailed by people, "Go China, Go Sichuan" and "Share the Olympic Spirit, Support the Quake Relief" are as common as those cheering the Olympics.

"The quake in Sichuan is a nation-shaking disaster," said torchbearer Christopher Thomas. "Being a foreigner, I'm deeply moved when seeing all the Chinese people get united, strive to help each other quickly and save numerous lives."

Quake hero torchbearers can be seen in each stop of the leg. "That being chosen a torchbearer is not only a honor to myself but also to all our rescue workers, " said Yu Congle, the second torchbearer in Xining.

Yu led more than 150 men succeeding in clearing 140-kilometer-long "life passage" in Sichuan only in two weeks.

"The quake relief there deeply impressed me and I feel the greatness of our nation, the fraternity from all the people at home and abroad," said Dagar, who's just come back from Sichuan and saved over 1,800 lives with his aid team.

When the last stop began in the morning, the nightlong shower abated; When the last torchbearer lightened the cauldron, the sun shone again.

Just like the weather, people see brightness and hopes from the Olympic flame.

"I firmly believe the people in the disaster area will rebuild their home and have a brighter future," said said Zhang Qiang, a neurosurgeon and aid worker.