Beijing one year ago

In the run-up to the Olympics, there has been a lot of media reports on the air pollution in Beijing. IOC has ‘threaten’ to cancel and postponed some events if the air quality is persistently poor. Athletes themselves have been outspoken about it

To name one was Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie, multiple Olympic medalist and current marathon record-holder who has pulled out of the Olympics due to the terrible smog that looms over Beijing. He cites that the pollution could trigger his asthma

There has been conflicting reports of course. The Chinese officials is assured that the air quality is fine and within limits with guidelines being implemented such as closing down factories and banning as many as 300,000 cars of the surrounding Beijing area, while IOC wants more to be done as their findings indicates that the city average air pollution index is currently is at 130 (light pollution)

Tongue in cheek banter on the air pollution issue

The city of Beijing has seen better days on occasion of course. The air pollution index has dipped as low as 22 (blue sky) but this does not come often. Sometimes progress comes first before environmental concerns, I understand that

This issue very much reminds me of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Back then the air pollution is similar to that of Beijing crisis but the athletes came, records was broken and I had lasting memories watching it on television as a kid

I believe, yes it will be an eyesore and irritant to athletes, officials, visitors alike but it won’t kill you. Just enjoy the Games I’d say

Beijing report last week