All ProSports

By Matt Valentine

Smog covers Beijing

With the Olympic games due to kick off tomorrow evening, the one thing that is on most peoples minds or more aptly in most peoples lungs is the pollution in the host city of Beijing.

A thick,dense, haze has descended upon the city cutting visibility to less then a mile, a condition that Chinese officials attribute to the meteorological conditions in the city.

China has made a concerted effort to clean up the air prior to the start of the games, but many athletes and others have complained that air is very contaminated with pollutants, some even claiming that they were coughing up black mucus after training near the stadium.

In fact, just days ago some members of the U.S. Olympic team had to apologize for wearing masks that would protect their lungs from the harmful pollutants surrounding the area.

On Thursday, Beijing’s air pollution index was recorded at 96, which came close to exceeding the national level for acceptable air. Levels between 51-100 are considered moderate pollution, and anything over 100 is harmful to sensitive groups, including children and the elderly.

In the months leading up to the Olympics the Chinese government did go to great lengths to help reduce the pollution in the bustling city of 17 million people.Beijing officials imposed some drastic measures in mid-July, taking half of the city’s 3.3 million vehicles off the road, halting most construction and closing dozens of factories.

Apparently the measures have had a positive impact. Environmental officials have stated that a 20 percent drop in major pollutants occurred in July as compared with the same time last year. However, given the enormity of the swings in pollutants, ranging from crystal clear blue skies to the thick haze of Thursday the measures have not been enough.

Many athletes fear the effects of the pollutants on their performance and their healht. However, many health officials say that the short term exposure to the air should not have any lasting effects on the athletes.

Perhaps, in the future the IOC will consider the enviornment in which the games will be played when deciding on where to hold future Olympics.