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Olympic torch reaches Everest summit

08/05/2008

A team of Chinese climbers have carried the Olympic torch to the summit of Mount Everest.

Live television footage showed the mountaineers on top of the world's tallest mountain with the specially designed torch this morning.

The 19-member team unfurled flags and cheered for the television cameras upon reaching the 29,035ft peak.

Poor weather, including heavy snow and high winds, had previously delayed the Chinese attempt to carry the torch to the top of Everest.

Reports claim officials hope today's stunt will deflect attention away from the mass protests which have marred the torch's international relay thus far.

Demonstrators worldwide have used the torch's passage through 22 countries, from Athens to Beijing, to protest against China's human rights record and its handling of recent unrest in Tibet.

The torch is due at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on August 8th.