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)