International   

Torch squad for Everest includes ethnic Tibetans

Beijing: China on Tuesday announced a 36-member squad, including 24 ethnic Tibetans and three women, which will carry the Olympic flame to Mount Everest, marking the high point of the torch relay.

The squad has been selected on the basis of climbers’ performance in training and test runs and willingness “to make a contribution to the Olympic movement,” Zhang Zhijian, spokesman of the Chinese Mountaineering Team, said at the base camp, 5040 metres above sea level.

“The snowfall had some impact on our schedule but everything is under control,” Mr. Zhang was quoted as saying by the official official Xinhua news agency.

However, the day of the ascent has not been decided yet.

“I don’t want to be a fortune teller … The final day to ascend has to be weighed after all the factors are considered,” Mr. Zhang said.

The torch that had a troubled global run, marred by protests by Tibetan activists, returned last week to the Chinese mainland where it is being paraded in cities.

A separate flame, specially designed to burn in thin air, will be taken to the summit. — PTI

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Hu sees new avenues in ties with Japan
Tougher immigration laws in England
Russia and U.S. sign nuclear pact
“LTTE activist arrested”
Laughing fit
Torch squad for Everest includes ethnic Tibetans
BNP member faces boycott in assembly
Neither of two skulls is Schiller’s
LTTE-held areas liberated, says Army
U.S. targets India, China for oil prices

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu