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Pollution in China Affecting 2008 Olympic Games Athletes
Andy Kondrat May 12, 2008 | 3:14 pm EST
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Rings!The potential effect of China’s pollution on the 2008 Summer Olympic Games is becoming more and more obvious, as the world record holder in the men’s marathon stated a few months back he will not compete due to pollution, and now the woman’s world record holder says that the pollution could force her to wear a mask when not competing.  Yesterday, Paula Radcliffe stated that the use of a mask while in Beijing may be necessary to help keep her asthma in check.  In an interview with BBC Radio, she said,

“I think the biggest factor is going to be runny eyes, runny nose and sore throat after the event - and if things go according to plan in the race, I don’t particularly care. The biggest thing for me is to make sure my asthma is under control - which it is - and minimise the effects of pollution in the lead-up to the race.” [news.scotsman.com]

This is another damaging blow to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, as in March, Haile Gebrselassie (men’s marathon record holder) stated that, “The pollution in China is a threat to my health and it would be difficult for me to run 42 kilometers in my current condition [espn.com],” and simply will not compete.  As well, the president of the International Olympic Committee has not ruled out that “events such as the marathon, road cycling, triathlon, open-water swimming and race walking could be postponed if the effects of the air pollution were exacerbated by the weather.”

In response, China has said that pollution levels are lowering, and construction around Beijing is being stopped for the three months leading up to the games, which actually is just about right now.  It remains to be seen what, if any, effect this policy has.

Though there’s not much you and I can do to enact air quality change in China, you can and learn 50 easy ways to reduce air pollution in your own life.

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Filed under: Environment Related Links: China Cuts Beijing Traffic in Half to Reduce Pollution Before Olympic Games

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7 Responses to “Pollution in China Affecting 2008 Olympic Games Athletes”

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  1. olympic games

    One of the goals of early computer scientists was to create a chess-playing machine, and today’s chess is deeply influenced by the abilities

    olympic games May 23, 2008 | 9:09 pm EST

  2. [...] moves to dramatically lower pollution come as some premier athletes have stated they will not participate in the games due to the poor air quality. As well, the AP notes, Already, many competitors are [...]

    edyot.com » Blog Archive » China Cuts Beijing Traffic in Half to Reduce Pollution Before Olympic Games July 29, 2008 | 11:41 pm EST

  3. camels

    camel mannNo Gravatar July 30, 2008 | 1:09 am EST

  4. some of the athletes are pulling out of the 2008 beijing olympics because of the pollution i just hope my country which is newzealand dosn’t get that way

    kara-sueNo Gravatar August 3, 2008 | 9:52 pm EST

  5. please show us some names of athletes

    angel#35No Gravatar August 8, 2008 | 3:37 am EST

  6. WOW this sie is very good not to mention very educational for my HW copy all the anserea

    DanielaNo Gravatar August 20, 2008 | 4:46 am EST

  7. Was china the best place to hold the Beijing Olympics 2008? Are they doing anything to help the environment? We have been wondering theses questions for lifetimes. Somtimes i feel that the world we live in is dying. Worst of all, acting fast to save it is within our reach. It’s rather sad. I, just being a 12 year old girl, among other 12 year old girls, wonder about these questions and problems.

    julia smits age 12No Gravatar September 1, 2008 | 2:47 am EST

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