By Tenzin Sangmo
New Delhi, April 28 – Just as North Korea got ready to host its first ever relay run amid what they termed a ‘high standard’ security arrangement, a special Olympic flame arrived at Mount Everest Base Camp yesterday. The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) attempts to take the Olympic insignia to the summit of the world’s highest mountain. The torch is different from the one on its current international tour of six continents, lasting 130 days and covering a distance of 137,000 km (85,000 miles). The unique torch designed specially to keep burning in thin air will begin its ascent early next month and is expected to reach the peak in the middle of the month.
China has banned all climbing expeditions from its side of the mountain to ensure safety measures. The state media issued that security personnel swarmed the Everest Base Camp to curb any disorder leading to the torch’s ascension. Nepal government on its part has authorized the use of guns by security forces on protestors. An American climber was recently apprehended by Nepalese officials carrying a pro-Tibet banner on its side of Mount Everest. He was forced to turn back from the mountain abandoning his expedition.
The organizing committee told international media persons (approved to report on the summit attempt) their trip was cancelled the day they were scheduled to leave for the ascent (April 22). Citing bad weather conditions the BOCOG said that unsuitable climate in the Himalayan region of Tibet delayed the media trip by days. It is also reported that the media will not be at the North Base Camp when the climbing party bearing the special torch leave for the peak next month.
Instead of covering the route of the torch up the summit from the Everest Base Camp, the media will now leave from Beijing simultaneously as the torch departs the Base Camp and journey straight to Everest through Lhasa, the Tibetan Capital that will see them from 177 ft to 17,600 ft above sea level in just three days.
BOCOG spokeswoman Wang Hui denying that the recent Tibet unrest had anything to do with the change in plans addressed a media briefing, “This is not the case, this is not about Tibet … We have tried our best to make the best arrangements for you, this is all because of the uncertain weather conditions”. She also said that changes were made keeping the interest of the media in mind, so that they would not have to spend lengthy period at the Base Camp until the weather got better before leaving for the summit. Climbers are expected to take the Olympic flame to Everest’s 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) summit on a day with favorable weather condition in May.
The China controlled Tibet leg of the torch relay remain unchanged except for tighter security arrangements around the region.
