Chinese mountaineers about to take the Olympic torch to the world's highest mountain peak said they are ready for the torch relay despite the recent unrest in the mountainous regional capital of Tibet.
"We are ready for the challenge. The unrest in Lhasa last week will not change our plan to ascend Mount Qomolangma for the torch relay," said Pemba Dondrup, a 29-year-old Tibetan athlete, who made his first ascent to the top of the world's highest mountain in 2006.
Pemba and his teammates have just come back from training programs started last October, for the Olympic torch relay to top of Mount Qomolangma in May, 8,844 meters in altitude, the highest summit in the world.
"We have undergone training programs in Beijing, Kunming, Lhasa and Yangbajing, each place higher than the previous, to prepare ourselves for the severe conditions on Mount Qomolangma," said Pemba in his dormitory in Lhasa Mountaineering Guide School.
The team to carry the torch to Himalayan peak would consist of Tibetan athletes from the mountaineering guide school, the China Tibet Mountaineering Team, and mountaineers from other parts of China.
Nima Ciren, principal of the guide school, told Xinhua in an interview that the recent unrest in Lhasa has "limited" influence over the planned torch relay. Nima himself topped the Mount Qomolangma in 2003.
"Our students are recommended not to go out of the police-guarded school. Those chosen for the torch relay are having some problems with their trainings in neighbouring mountains and purchasing necessary equipment," Nima said.
A violent riot which the government said was organized by the Dalai clique, broke out in Tibet's capital Lhasa on March 14. Rioters set fire to shops, schools, hospitals and residences. At least 18 civilians and one police officer have been killed.
Nima said athletes have finished most parts of their trainings, and that they do not need massive trainings as much as adequate rest at this point of time.
First batch of the team has already been sent to the Qomolangma Base Camp for preparation work, he added.
"I am confident of our athletes. They will successfully carry the torch to the top," said Nima.
Sam Drug, captain of China Tibet Mountaineering Team, also said the separatists-backed unrest in Lhasa would not have "too much impact" on the torch relay.
"We are looking forward to it. It is a dream shared by all Chinese people and those around the world," he said.
"The torch relay will be Tibet's biggest contribution to the Beijing Olympics, and should bring us mountaineers honor equivalent to a gold medal of the Games," he said.
Organizers of the Olympics said on Wednesday that the torch relay will go ahead as planned despite concerns over security in Tibet.
The sacred flame will be lit in Greece on Monday and is scheduled to arrive in China on March 31 when a grand ceremony will be held at the Beijing Tian'anmen Square.
The 137,000-kilometer relay will cover 134 cities on five continents starting on April 1 and ending on Aug. 8 at the main Olympic stadium in Beijing.
The highlight of the relay, involving 21,780 torchbearers, will be to take the Olympic flame to the summit of Mount Qomolangma in May.
(Xinhua News Agency, March 23, 2008)