Organizers of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are planning an ambitious torch relay which will travel across five continents and reach the world's highest peak -- Mount Qomolangma, chief organizer said on Thursday.

"About 70 Chinese cities and 28 cities outside China will be covered along the route for the Beijing Games' torch relay," Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG), said at the 118th IOC session.

According to Liu, the torch relay will start in March, 2008 and last until the Games open on Aug. 8 in the Chinese capital, involving some 15,000 torch bearers.

"A work team will be set up this year to prepare for the torch relay," said Liu.

"And we will start to negotiate with relevant countries and regions over the details of the international leg," he added.

Liu said that this year will also witness a series of cultural events, including the unveiling of the mascot for the 2008 Paralympics.

Source: Xinhua