The Olympic torch reached the North Pole on October 19, four days after departing from the Arctic city of Murmansk.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Filippov / Go to the mediabankThe Olympic torch reached the North Pole on October 19, four days after departing from the Arctic city of Murmansk.
The Olympic torch reached the North Pole on October 19, four days after departing from the Arctic city of Murmansk.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Filippov / Go to the mediabankThe flame was transported to the North Pole on a nuclear-powered icebreaker.
The flame was transported to the North Pole on a nuclear-powered icebreaker.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Filippov / Go to the mediabankRussia’s NS 50 Let Pobedy (50 Years of Victory) vessel is the largest nuclear-powered icebreaker in the world.
Russia’s NS 50 Let Pobedy (50 Years of Victory) vessel is the largest nuclear-powered icebreaker in the world.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankThe appearance of the torch at the Pole comes at a time when the Arctic has become a political priority for President Vladimir Putin, who is keen to exert Russian sovereignty over a vast area of the region and has spoken of developing it for the oil and gas industries.
The appearance of the torch at the Pole comes at a time when the Arctic has become a political priority for President Vladimir Putin, who is keen to exert Russian sovereignty over a vast area of the region and has spoken of developing it for the oil and gas industries.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankIt is the first time the flame has been delivered to the most northerly point on the planet.
It is the first time the flame has been delivered to the most northerly point on the planet.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Filippov / Go to the mediabankThe stage was organized on the night of October 19 and 20 to coincide with the end of the torch relay leg in Yaroslavl.
The stage was organized on the night of October 19 and 20 to coincide with the end of the torch relay leg in Yaroslavl.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankThe North Pole relay leg was conducted on board the icebreaker...
The North Pole relay leg was conducted on board the icebreaker...
...and on the ice cap itself.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankEleven scientists who have made significant contributions to the study of the Arctic and the conservation of its natural resources, animals and ecology were entrusted with the torch.
Eleven scientists who have made significant contributions to the study of the Arctic and the conservation of its natural resources, animals and ecology were entrusted with the torch.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankThe honor of lighting the Olympic flame was given to Arctic and Antarctic explorer and vice-president of the Russian Geographical Society Artur Chilingarov.
The honor of lighting the Olympic flame was given to Arctic and Antarctic explorer and vice-president of the Russian Geographical Society Artur Chilingarov.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Filippov / Go to the mediabankThe official Lighting Ceremony took place at the Geographical North Pole.
The official Lighting Ceremony took place at the Geographical North Pole.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankSending the flame to the North Pole for the first time is one of a series of spectacular journeys taking place alongside the torch relay. Others include sending an unlit torch into space, and taking the flame up Russia's highest mountain, Mount Elbrus.
Sending the flame to the North Pole for the first time is one of a series of spectacular journeys taking place alongside the torch relay. Others include sending an unlit torch into space, and taking the flame up Russia's highest mountain, Mount Elbrus.