The torch relay for the 10th National Games of Disabled Persons and the seventh Special Olympics began on Aug 18 and will run through Aug 25 in this coastal city.

The twin events are due to be held concurrently from Aug 25 to Sept 1 in Tianjin.

The relay will cover 16 districts in Tianjin and end at the opening ceremony of the event on Aug 25 at the Tianjin Sports Stadium.

A total of 35 delegate groups will take part in the upcoming events, including up to 22,800 participants — a historical high. Among them, 6,000 athletes will come to Tianjin.

A total of 122 male torchbearers and 48 female torchbearers will take part in the event.

They range in age from 17 to 65, including five from ethnic minority groups. Among them are 87 disabled persons.

In a bid to enhance participation at the event from the younger generation, in recent months the city held a round of selections among youth aged from eight to 15 to escort the torchbearers.

About 200 out of some 20,000 young people were selected.