The Organizing Committee for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games has unveiled a miniature version of the Olympic torch, called the 'Olympic Torch Classic Edition'.

This is the first time that the International Olympic Committee has permitted the sale of a three-dimensional torch replica of the Summer Games to the general public.

Wang Yu is from Beijing's organizing committee.

The Beijing Olympic Torch contains many traditional Chinese elements. It is the perfect combination of traditional Chinese civilization and the modern Olympic spirit. I believe it is going to carry the friendship across five continents and go up to the top of the world (Mount Everest).

The miniature version is made from excess steel left over from construction of the Beijing National Stadium, which is more commonly known as the Bird's Nest.

The torch replica has been limited to 200 thousand productions worldwide and each model has been marked with a unique collector's number.

It will be released on Saturday in designated Olympic stores and is priced at 2,900 yuan each, or roughly 400 US dollars.