The Arrival of the Olympic Flame at Mt. Qomolangma

The transport of the Olympic Flame to Mt. Qomolangma was an undertaking made by China when it was bidding for the Olympics. It symbolized the Beijing Olympic Games desire to take the Olympic Flame to new heights and to celebrate the best of human achievement. The desire also symbolizes the three concepts of the 2008 Olympic Games: a Green Games, a High-tech Games and the People's Games. It symbolizes the victory of the human spirit to be able to persevere, overcome obstacles and attain their goals. The ascent will also highlight the beautiful landscape of Tibet, not unlike how the underwater portion of the 2000 Olympic Torch Relay showcased the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The Overview of the Arrival of Olympic Flame at Mt. Qomolangma

Because of the specific weather conditions at Mt. Qomolangma, the arrival of the Olympic Flame at Mt. Qomolangma may span 3 months. Considering the uncertainty of many aspects at Mt. Qomolangma and the fact that it will not affect the whole torch relay program, the IOC approved the following plan.

During the arrival ceremony for the flame into China on March 31, 2008, one of the lanterns with the Olympic Flame will be kept in Beijing. The mountaineering teams and torchbearers will climb the mountain in May 2008 when the weather conditions are expected to be suitable for the ascent. As the flame is about to reach the top of Mt Qomolangma, the domestic relay will be suspended for the period in makes its final ascent. This is to avoid two relays occurring at the same time.

After its arrival at the summit of Mt. Qomolangma, the flame will travel back to Lhasa and await the arrival of the domestic relay when it will be rejoined with that flame.