Spiderman wows capital

ABU DHABI - It was incredible and yet it happened right before the eyes of thousands of people. Spiderman Alain Robert yesterday climbed the towering 202-metre National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) building on Khalifa Street in just 22 minutes.

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By Syed Qamar Hasan

Published: Sat 22 Feb 2003, 2:27 AM

Last updated: Tue 31 Jan 2023, 7:27 AM

It was by any estimates the largest crowd of men, women and children seen in Abu Dhabi in recent times, who came out to watch the daring spectacular. People started gathering from 3.30pm around the newly built NBAD building, one of the tallest in the capital, to watch the feat.

By 5pm, the area around the building was a sea of heads and at 5.10pm, the lightly built Frenchman started the climb. Clad in black tight-fitting trousers and white half shirt he received a thunderous applause.

Every now and then Robert would stop, turn around gripping the parapets with one hand and gesturing with the other to the crowds down below to cheer.

More than him it were the crowd that seemed gripped with an easy calm, watching in awe as he scaled up the dizzying heights.

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And to the relief of all, Robert completed the climb in 22 minutes and stepped on the top floor from where he waved the UAE and HCT flags to the crowds.

The authorities had made elaborate arrangements to meet any eventuality and a police helicopter hovered over taking a video movie of the climb.

Later, Robert was given a reception at the entrance to the bank's building by officials of the Higher Colleges of Technology and the bank.

The climb was organised by the HCT to mark the three-day E-ducation without Borders 2003 Conference, which opens here today.

Abdulla M. S. Abdulraheem, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Operating Officer of NBAD, said the bank was delighted to sponsor the event. Robert was also delighted at conquering yet another tall structure and adding it to the already impressive list of buildings such as the Sears Towers in Chicago, Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the Centre Point in Sydney.

He said: "It is just not stamina and physical fitness but more of mental fitness and concentration."

Syed Qamar Hasan

Published: Sat 22 Feb 2003, 2:27 AM

Last updated: Tue 31 Jan 2023, 7:27 AM

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