Air quality is a potential risk for endurance athletes who compete outside this summer at the Beijing Olympics, the top medical officer for the International Olympic Committee said Monday.
Arne Ljungqvist, stressing that most Olympians would not be affected and that the air quality was better than he expected, based his findings on studies done by a Beijing group of scientists in August. The period mirrors the Olympics, during which time organizers have announced plans to close industries and clear roads of traffic that make Beijing one of the world's most polluted cities.
The IOC report follows news stories criticizing conditions that could force athletes to wear masks and a recent decision by the world's top marathoner to skip that event in Beijing. Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie, who suffers from asthma, defended his decision to Efe news agency Monday: "I was in the city in August. ... It's going to be the hardest marathon in history."
His choice was private, Ljungqvist said. "I would not say his example should be a golden standard for others."
David Martin, who developed strategies for two marathoners who ended the USA's 20-year medal drought in Athens, remains hopeful: "The marathon was invented for the Games. China wants this to be a success."
Air quality will be monitored daily during the Games, Ljungqvist said, and a B plan for events will be ready. He ruled out a need for face masks. The British Olympic Committee said last week that its team would go maskless.
Darryl Seibel, spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee said, Monday: "So long as it is within the rules, we would never prohibit an athlete from doing something that he or she thought was important for their health."
Other outdoor endurance events are cycling, triathlon and marathon swimming. Ljungqvist added the air quality could jeopardize world-record performances.
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