Gupta will join a select contingent of local torchbearers.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch Relay is the prelude to the Olympic Games and takes place over a period of 100 days. It represents the worldwide route that torchbearers take in transporting the Olympic flame to the official opening of the Games.
“I am honoured to be included as part of the group of torch bearers to participate in the South African leg of the relay. It is a truly unique occasion, one that few people ever get to experience,” said Gupta.
Each torchbearer is obliged to follow a strict program, formulated and applied by organisers, which indicates routes to follow, itinerary, codes of conduct, general rules and key points of consideration.
All torchbearers are required to run a distance of 200 metres – but this can be extended or reduced at the discretion of organisers.
“There is a great deal of symbolism attached to this responsibility. For me, personally, it is representative of everything that we have built in South Africa and all that we continue to achieve and re-invest in order to transfer value to individuals and communities. In many respects technology is a flame that is symbolic of hope, of life and of liberty to many people across the world,” adds Gupta.
