Olympic flame arrives in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, China (CNN) - The protest-plagued Olympic torch relay arrived in Hong Kong on Wednesday, ending a tumultuous trip through numerous countries and beginning a relay that will take it to several other points on Chinese soil.

Authorities in Hong Kong deported at least seven activists before the flame's arrival and braced for possible protests when the official torch run takes place on Friday.

The flame arrived amid much pomp and circumstance at 2 p.m. local time. Officials carried it down a red carpet at Hong Kong International Airport, past a row of children waving Chinese flags and a band playing patriotic tunes. It was driven to a planned welcoming ceremony at a cultural center.

Wednesday begins the 100-day countdown to the start of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, on August 8.