| 23 Apr 2009 |
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Hopes Rise for Burj Dubai Conquest
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DUBAI -- It seems that the higher the Burj DubaiBurj Dubai
gets, the longer the waiting list becomes of people wanting to climb it, jump from it or perform some acrobatic stunt on top of it. So far the developer EmaarEmaar has declined comment on the deluge of applications from extreme sportsmen looking to break world records.
"There is something about the Burj DubaiBurj Dubai that seems to inspire superlatives," said one renowned designer, who declined to be named.
Last year, a video was posted online by a British base-jumper who leapt from the tower when it stood at 629 metres.
In the last week, the Khaleej Times has spoken to two individuals enquiring how they can gain permission to perform extreme stunts from the building, which will stand at 818 metres when completed.
"I want to gain permission from the people who own the building so I can base jump from the top," said Terje Halvorsen, in a telephone interview from his home in Norway. "I want to put on a show, for the residents of Dubai and for viewers all around the world. This would boost publicity for the owners of the building."
Halvorsen sought permission from the Chinese government to base-jump from the Jin Mao tower in Shanghai in 2003 and said he was keen to pursue legal routes.
Balancing artist Eskil Ronningsbakken told the Khaleej Times on Sunday how he wanted to perform a handstand on top of the building.
Earlier in the month, a French climber who gained fame under the name of 'Spiderman' vowed in another UAE newspaper to climb the tower without the aid of a supporting rope. "Ultimately almost all of the world's tallest buildings have been climbed or jumped from," said Shaun Killa, Dubai director for architecture firm Atkins, and member of the Tall Building Council.
legally or illegally. Developers could ensure that if something like this is performed, it is done with all the safety and liability measures in place, and under perfect weather conditions."Criminal Investigation Department Director, Colonel Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri said that special permission from the Dubai Land Department and Dubai Police was mandatory for any stunt to be performed atop any building in the emirate, particularly Burj DubaiBurj Dubai.
"The police station in the area where the stunt is planned, takes the responsibility of securing and cordoning the place, as well as ensuring the stunt performer's safety," he said, noting that no one has yet applied for any performance.
© Khaleej Times 2009
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