Olympic Games 2008

Torch scales Everest summit

Article published on the 2008-05-08 Latest update 2008-05-08 09:14 TU

Chinese President Hu Jintao, gives the flame to the first athlete, Liu Xiang.
(Photo : Reuters)

Chinese climbers bearing the Olympic flame have reached the summit of Everest, the world's highest mountain. Chinese television showed the team of climbers, carrying specially designed torches, reaching the peak. China is hoping the dramatic feat will counter some of the damaging publicity from the protests during the torch's international relay.

The climb is the first time the Olympic torch has been taken up Mount Everest. The flame is separate from the main Olympic torch, which on Thursday was on the opposite side of China, in the southeastern province of Guangdong.

The main torch will cross every region and province of China, returning to Beijing on 6 August, two days ahead of the Games' opening ceremony.

The Everest leg was kept secret, mainly to deter protesters who have criticised the event as symbolising China's domination over Tibet.

Chinese state television said the 19-member final assault team consisted of both ethnic Han Chinese and Tibetans.

CCTV said the team captain is a Tibetan, identified as Nyima Cering, while the deputy is Chinese, Luo Shen.

A team spokesperson was quoted as saying that an advanced staging camp at 25,560 feet had been rebuilt after heavy snowfall last weekend destroyed several base camps and delayed the journey.