Team announced for Olympic flame's ascent of Mt. Qomolangma
6/5/2008 16:37
Zhang Zhijian, spokesman of the Chinese Mountaineering Team, announced
today the squad to carry the Olympic flame to the top of Mount Qomolangma at a
press conference held in the Qomolangma media center which is 5,040 meters above
sea level.
The team, consisting of 36 members, include 24 ethnic Tibetans, 10
Han Chinese, one from Tu ethnic group and one from Tujia ethnic group.
The
captain of the team is the famous alpinist Wang Yongfeng, who has ascended the
highest mountains in seven continents.
The team, with an average age of 30.2,
will also see three women climbers, two Tibetans and one Han Chinese.
"The
team include experienced mountaineers and some university students who at least
climbed mountains with altitude of 6,500 or above for once, so I believe they
will augment each other in every respect of the ascent," Zhang said.
The
torch has returned to the Chinese mainland at the beginning of May and continues
through dozens of Chinese cities.
The relay had been billed as the most
ambitious of all time, with the highlight set to be an ascent of Mt. Qomolangma
in May.
The Olympic flame's first trip to the top of the world's highest
mountain will also be televised.
Xinhua
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