The expedition comes after Lt Col Edward Lisle Strutt, the deputy leader of the 1922 British Mount Everest team made up of 21 climbers, reached a world record height on Mount Everest of 27,000 feet, just a few hundred metres short of the summit.

The news was celebrated globally and two years later, Strutt and his team were awarded 21 gold medals at the Paris 1924 Olympic for their brave Everest attempt.

It was during the Closing Ceremony of those Olympics that Strutt pledged directly to De Coubertin to take one of the 21 gold medals to the summit of Mount Everest.

It was a pledge that neither he nor Britain has ever been able to fulfil but expert mountaineer Cool, who has reached the summit of Everest on nine previous occasions, has taken on the challenge to fulfil the promise and complete the Samsung Olympic Games Pledge to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

On his latest climb up the world's highest mountain, Kenton will be carrying the Olympic gold medal awarded to Arthur Wakefield which has been held by his family since 1924.


"I've climbed Everest nine times before, but have never been so determined to reach the summit," said Cool.

"Honouring the British team of 1922, particularly Arthur Wakefield, and fulfilling the Olympic Games Pledge in the year of London 2012 is what I have trained and climbed my whole life for."

Cool is embarking upon his campaign with cameraman Keith Partridge (pictured top right) while the pair will be supported in their climb by ground-breaking Samsung technology.

Their kit of gadgets will include the Samsung Galaxy Note, which will allow them to share his experiences with the public as they make history.

Daily video updates, tweets and photos will be streamed live from the mountain and will be available at www.samsung.com/uk/london2012 along with a live GPS track of his climb.

"In addition to fulfilling the Samsung Olympic Games Pledge what makes this expedition even more exciting is that everyone can take part in this journey thanks to The Samsung Galaxy Note," said Cool.

"From capturing what I can see through photography and recording video diaries, the UK public will be able to follow me on my journey right up to the summit of Everest and then be witness to the Samsung Olympic Games Pledge being fulfilled 88 years after it was made.

"The Samsung Galaxy Note will define this journey and help me create a dialogue with well-wishers and supporters whilst on my climb which will be vital in keeping me motivated as I attempt to fulfil The Samsung Olympic Games Pledge that has become very close to my heart."


Andy Griffiths, the managing director of Samsung UK and Ireland, added: "Samsung is delighted that through our technology, everyone will be able to take part and share and experience Kenton's expedition – every step of the way - and see history being made as the pledge is fulfilled.

"This will be a journey like no other and is just one of the exciting Olympic initiatives Samsung is involved in to help engage and excite people this year.

"Samsung would like to wish Kenton the best of luck with this historic expedition."

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