ABOUT 3 million spectators took to the streets Thursday to cheer the Shenzhen leg of the Olympic torch relay.

When the torch passed Shenzhen University, around 3,000 students from the university, including foreign students, lined up to cheer the passing of the torch.

"We are so excited about the torch relay and we have been making lots of preparations for days," Ruan Qing, a third-year student from the College of Mass Communication.

They put on T-shirts with the logo of the Beijing Olympics and put "I love China" stickers all over their clothes and faces.

"Although it was worthwhile coming, we were disappointed when the torchbearers passed the university in a coach and most people did not see it clearly," said Ruan.

Murad Bekaev took his family for the historic moment.

"I came to Shenzhen from Russia only six months ago and we don't know much about China, but today is definitely an important day that we couldn't miss," Murad said.

"I am more interested than excited, because I'm still trying to learn more about China, particularly Shenzhen."

Murad, his wife Madina and two daughters waited for an hour for the arrival of the torch along Binhai Thoroughfare.

"I live nearby, so I know many have been waiting here since morning. The extremely excited crowds had been waving red flags for hours," said Murad.

"We wish the torch relay and the 2008 Beijing Olympics are a great success," Murad said. He might not attend the Olympics and would go back to Russia after he finished his studies in Shenzhen, he said.

"Shenzhen residents are very passionate and it is quite different from the torch relay in Los Angeles in 1984," said Quinton Daniel, from Los Angeles in the United States.

He waited for several hours at the Window of the World for the arrival of the runners.

"Unfortunately, I saw only the top of the torch and the heads of spectators," said Quinton.

Phillip Bradley, 45, from the United Kingdom, also went to cheer. "When the torchbearers were approaching, I was as excited as the young people around me, shouting 'come on, China, come on, Olympics' in Chinese."

Shenzhen Daily