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Athletics

Beijing endurance athletes 'at risk' from air pollution

02/04/2008

Athletes at this year's Beijing Olympics competing in events that last more than one hour could be at risk from the city's air pollution, organisers have admitted.

The International Olympics Committee (IOC) says there is a chance endurance athletes could have their health damaged by the poor air quality in Beijing.

Speaking from the Chinese capital, IOC coordination commission chairman Hein Verbruggen told Reuters that events could be subject to delays during periods of heavy pollution.

"There can be a risk, but it's not big, for endurance events that last longer than an hour," he outlined.

"In that case, we are developing a plan B. We might delay certain events for a couple of days. But to do that it must be very bad."

But Verbruggen insisted there was no risk for the "wide majority" of Olympic athletes.

Two-time Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie has already withdrawn from the 2008 Games over fears the air pollution in Beijing could worsen his asthma.

Speaking last month as the medical commission of the IOC published its appraisal, its chairman Arne Ljungqvist said: "As with all Olympic Games, we want to ensure that air quality risks are mitigated and that measures are put into place to protect the health of the athletes.

"Analysis of air quality data to date indicates that the health of the vast majority of athletes competing in the 2008 Olympic Games will not be impaired."