The Beijing Olympic torch relay in south China boomtown Shenzhen will kick off later then previously scheduled as Chinese mountaineers carrying the sacred flame started to launch a final assault to the top of Mt. Qomolangma earlier on Thursday.

The Shenzhen relay, previously scheduled to start Thursday morning, has been reset to launch at noon, after an expected success in reaching the world's highest peak, announced here the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (BOCOG) in a statement.

No changes have been made on the relay route in Shenzhen, but with less hours expected to use, added the BOCOG.

The distance run by each torchbearer will be shortened from 200 meters to 100, or the torch will be carried by two bearers together in a run of 200 meters, according to the statement.

Climbers carrying the Olympic flame are expected to reach the top of Mt. Qomolangma at around 9 a.m. (0200 GMT).

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2008)