Chinese rickshaw driver claims Olympian journey to London

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A Chinese farmer said Thursday he spent two years riding nearly 40,000 miles (60,000 kilometres) through 16 countries on a rickshaw to reach London in time for the Olympic Games.

Chen Guanming, 57, said his goal had been to “spread the Olympic spirit” on his journey through war zones, floods, and extreme temperatures in countries including Taiwan, Turkey and Iraq.

“During this rickshaw journey, I’ve travelled through 16 countries, and a distance of more than 40,000 miles,” Chen told AFP in London’s central Soho district, a day before the Games begin.

“I wanted to arrive on time for the opening ceremony. I had to face both floods and very hot and dry conditions.”

He added: “Londoners are very welcoming, the city is welcoming the whole world in a very nice way.”

He told the BBC he was inspired to make the journey while watching London mayor Boris Johnson accept the Olympic flag from inside the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing at the 2008 closing ceremony.