Tibet hopes to host sport climbing world cup

Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region plans to apply to host the sport climbing World Cup over the next five to six years, as its plateau geography would be ideal for the event, according to local climbers.

"We hope to host the IFSC Climbing World Cup so as to enhance Tibet's influence in international sport climbing," said Nyima Tsering, chief of Tibet's mountaineering team, on Wednesday in the regional capital of Lhasa.

The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Boulder World Cup will be held in Munich, Germany this weekend.

Nyima Tsering said Tibet hopes to be more competitive in climbing events by training more athletes and popularizing the sport both in Tibet and across China.

Specialists are studying the feasibility of hosting an international sporting event in the high-altitude region, said Nyima Tsering.

"The results of their feasibility study will be reported to the IFSC, and if all works out well, Tibet will hopefully host its first climbing World Cup in five or six years."

The Tibet autonomous region boasts world-class climbers who are adept at climbing the craggy mountains of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Its rock climbing team was established in 2006 and has 11 members who train in east China's Jiangxi province for most of the year.

Last month, Tibet hosted the 2012 China Himalaya Rock Climbing Contest. Tibetan climber Sonam Gyatso won the men's championship.

Meanwhile, one of Tibet's rising stars in sport climbing, Rinchen Lhamo, won second place in the women's climbing event at the 20th Asian Rock Climbing Championship in April.

"We'll support Tibet's bid to host the IFSC event," said Ding Xianghua, an official in charge of rock climbing events under the General Administration of Sports.

Zhao Lei, coach of China's national sport climbing team, said China may rely more heavily on Tibetan climbers to win more international climbing events.

Sport climbing is competing with baseball, softball, karate, roller sports, squash, wakeboard and wushu for a spot at the 2020 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee will hold its vote in September 2013.