China paraded the Olympic torch along its ancient Great Wall on Thursday a day before the opening of the Games that Beijing wants to show its modern face but which have also galvanised global protests over rights.

Doves flew and confetti rained down on the flame as runners carried it over the Wall’s mist-shrouded ramparts at daybreak in a tradition dating back to the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

On Friday, the torch will enter the Bird’s Nest stadium for the opening ceremony of the 16-day Olympics.

En route to China, US President George W Bush used some of his bluntest language yet in criticising a country many view as likely to rival his own for global hegemony this century. And some 40 competing athletes petitioned China to find a peaceful solution for Tibet, the most contentious issue.

Away from the politics, some sport was already underway.

After China’s women’s soccer team delighted the host nation with a win on Wednesday, the men’s competition began on Thursday.

A Ronaldinho-led Brazil, which has never won Olympic gold in soccer despite its five World Cup triumphs, beat Belgium 1-0.

South America’s other soccer power-house Argentina kicked off later against Ivory Coast, with forward Lionel Messi in the lineup despite Barcelona’s reluctance to release him.

Across China, excitement has built as the tortuous and troubled torch relay draws to a close and the country’s 1.3 billion people prepare for the Olympics’ most expensive opening ceremony. The Games have cost Beijing a total of $40 billion.

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