Paul Taaffe, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Hill & Knowlton, carries the torch on one of its final legs in Beijing at the invitation of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIV Olympiad (BOCOG) during the official start of the Olympics.

Ms. Wang Hui, director of communication department of BOCOG, said: "We have been pleased with the help Hill & Knowlton has given us and this is in recognition of their work."

"I am very proud to have this opportunity on behalf of Hill & Knowlton to show our support for BOCOG and the Beijing Olympic Games", said Taaffe. "The Games bring the world together, promote sport and its values, and can inspire individuals and societies to work for a better future."

Hill & Knowlton is the official communication agency for BOCOG. The agency has long experience of supporting the Olympic Movement, including working closely with the International Olympic Committee for six years and supporting winning bids like Athens 2004 and London 2012.