Olympic flame reaches Mount Everest summit

Thu, May 8 01:15 PM

Raghavendra Beijing, May 8 (PTI) Chinese and Tibetan climbers carried the Olympic flame to the summit of the Mount Everest, marking the zenith of glory for the controversy-hit Beijing Olympics torch relay. A team of Chinese and Tibetan climbers carrying the torch reached the 8,848 metre world's highest peak and unfurled the flags of Beijing Olympics logo, five Olympics rings and China after a mini six-minute relay at the end of a seven-hour climb with the specially designed flame protected in a lantern.

Clustered together at the summit, all the 12 members and seven back up climbers cheered, saying "We made it". One shouted, "Long Live Beijing" and another "Beijing Welcomes You".

Tibetan female mountaineer Tsering Wangmoo stood on the peak with the flame, in moments of glory and celebration for China, with the event broadcast live on national television network. Minutes before, the torch was lit with a specially designed lighter in a high-profile ceremony, part of the longest-ever and most ambitious torch relay in Olympic history.

"One World, One Dream", yelled Nyima Cering, captain of the 12-member "Attack Team", repeating the Beijing Olympics slogan when he received the torch. As they reached the summit and completed their feat braving the gusty winds and freezing wind chill, the team members crowded together, removed their oxygen masks, shouted and cheered cherishing the moment.

The climbers began their "final assault" from the "Attack Camp" located at 8,300 metres above sea level after they were woken up by a folk song around 1 am. PTI.

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