Unveiling ceremony for the Beijing Olympic torch.

Although the Olympic Games are intended to celebrate the world's best athletes, the 2008 Games-- slated for Aug. 8-24--are already drawing international heat. On Thursday, China revealed that its proposed 130-day Olympic torch relay would include a leg in Taiwan as part of the "domestic" route, inciting the wrath of the government in Taipei, which steadfastly claims its independence.

'JOURNEY OF HARMONY'

The 85,000-mile torch route crosses five continents and includes stops at Mt. Everest and Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. "By traveling along the historic 'Silk Road,' the symbol of ancient trade links between China and the rest of the world, crossing the five continents and going to new places, the Beijing 2008 torch relay will, as its theme says, be a 'Journey of Harmony' bringing friendship and respect to people of different nationalities, races and creeds," said IOC president Jacques Rogge at the torch unveiling.

The major sponsors of the relay are Coca-Cola, Samsung and Lenovo.