By Nick Butler

The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Torch Relay is currently being transported towards the North PoleOctober 15 - The Sochi 2014 Olympic Flame has embarked on a grueling 5,000 mile journey from Murmansk to the North Pole and back again as the Torch Relay nears the conclusion of its second week on Russian soil.


Accompanied by an icebreaker from the Rosatom State Corporation based in Murmansk the Torch today begun heading for the most northern point on the planet.

It was set on its way by the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay anthem, performed by the Military Orchestra of the Northern Icebreaker Fleet of the Russian Navy.

The Rosatom Corporation is responsible for the transportation of the Torch, the safe arrival and departure of expedition members from the North Pole, and the organisation of the Lighting Ceremony.

As an extra precaution the Olympic Flame will be kept in a special Lantern throughout the journey with all Relay legs to be conducted on board the icebreaker and the icecap.

The Winter Olympic Flame began its North Pole quest in MurmanskThe Winter Olympic Flame began its North Pole quest in unsurprisingly wintry conditions in Murmansk



Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and chief executive of Sochi 2014, explained the significance of the journey ahead.

"The North Pole special project makes the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay truly unique," he said.

"Thanks to the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee and the Rosatom State Corporation, the Olympic Flame will be lit and carried for the first time at the North Pole.

"I am certain that this symbolic Olympic journey will offer the world an opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking and extraordinarily delicate beauty of the planet's most northern point.

The North Pole Olympic expedition is being led by Artur Chilingarov., a "Hero" of both the Soviet Union and of Russia.

After pioneering new forms of navigation in the Arctic in the 1970's, Chilingarov has been involved with numerous Arctic and Antarctic expeditions in the intervening years.

He was named a "Hero of the Soviet Union" in 1986 and "Hero of the Russian Federation" 22 years later while he also spent 18 years until 2011 as a member of the Duma, the State Parliament.

The 74-year-old will be accompanied by international figures from Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the United States who have all contributed to the study of the Arctic and the conservation of its natural resources, animals and ecology.

"It is the first time in history that the Olympic flame will visit a place known as the 'top of the world'," said Chilingarov.

"It is a meeting point of longitudinal meridians and time zones, where the very concept of time loses all meaning.

"I believe that carrying the Olympic Flame to this very place is highly symbolic given that the Olympic values have endured for hundreds of years."

Explorer Artur Chilingarov prepares for his part in the North Pole expedition by holding an Olympic Torch replica at the Russian Geographical Society last monthExplorer Artur Chilingarov prepares for his part in the North Pole expedition by holding an Olympic Torch replica at the Russian Geographical Society last month





This is the latest step in what has already been a remarkable journey since the Torch arrived in Russia from Greece on October 6.

After beginning its four month Russian journey in Moscow, the Torch was transported to towns in the region via wakeboard, motorbike and snowboard.

It then entered the Tver region including the city of Tver itself where it was welcomed by almost 200,000 people in Constitution Square before proceeding along the Volga River.

After passing through the city of Rzhev it entered into the Smolensk region, where Flame carriers included the former Olympic and European hammer champion Olga Kuzenkova and the 1994 Olympic biathlon relay champion Nadezhda Talanova.

After passing through the Kaluga region by horsemen and rowing boats the Torch reached Murmunsk and begun its Arctic quest to the North Pole the following day.

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