Roman Abramovich collapses

[Term-X 7,891]

Roman Abramovich collapses in failed bid to conquer Kilimanjaro

Cheryl Cole can do it, even the 18-stone disc jockey Chris Moyles did it, but Roman Abramovich, usually master of all he surveys, has collapsed in an attempt to climb 3½ miles up Mount Kilimanjaro.

The billionaire owner of Chelsea football club has had to face the reality that there are things beyond the reach of Russian oligarchs as he was carried to safety after experiencing breathing problems during a failed attempt to ascend the mountain in Tanzania last week.

The 42-year-old invited a group of six friends to scale the 19,330ft summit of Africa's highest mountain. They took with them no fewer than 113 porters to make sure they wanted for nothing. However, due perhaps to time constraints rather than arrogance, they failed to train properly to cope with the altitude.

The expedition had to be cancelled at 15,100ft after Abramovich succumbed to what appear to have been symptoms of altitude sickness and needed medical attention.

We were not given a reason for his failure to reach the peak, but there are reports from his team that he developed some breathing problems," said Pascal Shelutete, a spokesman for the Tanzania National Parks Authority.

According to Shelutete, Abramovich's party, who flew in on the oligarch's private Boeing 767, decided to tackle the mountain at the western breach, which is the most difficult approach.

Most of the people who climb the peak each year use an easier path, dismissed by mountain experts as the "Coca-Cola route". However, the Abramovich group — believed to include Guus Hiddink, Chelsea's interim manager last season — reportedly failed to undergo the usual seven-day acclimatisation procedure to adapt to the climate and the low air pressure.

Instead they proceeded with the climb upon arriving in spite of warnings that the mountain, known as the Roof of Africa, claims the lives of up to 20 people who attempt to reach the peak each year.

It is believed that Abramovich might have been wrong-footed by the fact that the climb is technically very easy and failed to listen to warnings that its altitude and low temperature can make it a difficult trek.

A spokesman for Abramovich confirmed that the visit had taken place but could not comment on the incident.

Cole, the wife of the Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole, Moyles and other celebrities took the ascent and descent in a much more leisurely eight days in March and raised £1.4m for Comic Relief

http://www.timesonli...icle6832348.ece

Considering the age of our squad the last thing we need is this man dying, transfer ban or not.

[Kez 2,727]

Lol yeah, umm Roman what are you thinking?

[Term-X 7,891]

although i give him credit for not taking the coca cola route, I'd like to think he would leave money in his will to pay off our debts but i doubt it.

[Alee. 182]

although i give him credit for not taking the coca cola route, I'd like to think he would leave money in his will to pay off our debts but i doubt it.

the guy has a life besides CFC

[.Cee 50]

the guy has a life besides CFC

Chelsea or his 6 children (6th child on the way). I know which one I'll choose if I was him.

[Alee. 182]

Chelsea ofcourse

[.Cee 50]

Chelsea ofcourse

Not.

[Mart 29]

Not.

Fail. He was clearly joking, and you just ruin it for no reason.

[.Cee 50]

Fail. He was clearly joking, and you just ruin it for no reason.

I know he was joking. So what, I can answer him anyway.

(Sorry, but this kind of answer gets on my nerves. Kind of.)

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Right. Very good.

[Term-X 7,891]

surprised this hasn't erupted discussion about our future

if he gets into more mid life crisis stunts like this we go down like leeds united, plain and simple.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Mid-life crisis? Its a failed attempt at climbing Kilimanjaro, he hasn't slit his wrists through depression.

[Term-X 7,891]

he had breathing problems up that mountain, when the overweight chris moyles was fine.

who knows what will happen in the future.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

he had breathing problems up that mountain, when the overweight chris moyles was fine.

who knows what will happen in the future.

I think someone is a bit paranoid

[Alee. 182]

I think its preposterous to get chuffed up over Roman having breathing problems at this hieght, alot of people have problems with altitudes, nothing too health-related you know..