The height mark of 8,300m above sea level has been defined as
the final assault point for the Beijing Olympic torch relay to the peak of Mt.
Qomolangma (Everest), according to Wang Yongfeng, leader of the
Chinese Mountaineering Team.
He disclosed this at the launch of the command and information
system for the section of the torch relay on Wednesday. Repeated
trails and tests have been done to find a proper route to bring the
torch to the peak of Mt. Qomolangma. The final decision is to start
the assault from the height of 8,300m above sea level, Wang was
quoted by Xinhua as saying.
After arriving at the designated place, the mountaineering
torchbearer will start his ascent and will come back to the base
camp afterwards, he said.
The unprecedented mountaineering project is seen as a highlight
of the Beijing Olympic torch relay. It faces three main challenges:
the torch must reach the 8,844.43m-peak on time; it must kindle
under very low temperatures, low pressure and oxygen-deficient
conditions; further, a satisfactory live TV coverage must be done
to allow audiences across the world to watch the event.
A test in May this year achieved the expected result.
(BOCOG September 21, 2007)