Beijing More Concerned With Weather Than Pollution
The Olympic Organizers of Beijing have asserted that they have no intentions of postponing events because of pollution concerns-- rather they will only reschedule competition if a force majeur occurs, extreme weather circumstances for instance.
For example, Liu Wenbin, deputy director of the sports department of Beijing's organizing committee mentioned that marathon and endurance sports may be rescheduled due to severe heat, humidity and/or heavy rain.
However, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge had said that postponement of endurance events may take place due to poor air quality-- though Beijing officials have assured them that pollution will no longer be a problem by the time the Olympic games start on Aug. 8.
This doesn't change the fact that the contingency plan contains rather harsh assumptions-- allowing endurance athletes to compete even if pollution becomes a problem.
Maximum temperatures in Beijing usually average more than 29 degrees Celsius during August, and this is where the city gets its second highest level of rainfall. The organizers have decided to hold a panel discussion from the International Olympic Committee and sports federations when making decisions regarding canceling or postponing events.
This hasn't calmed down some skeptical athletes though. For example, Haile Gebrselassie, who is the world record holder for the men's marathon may not participate at the Olympics due to the polluted air in China's capital.
China is going to resort to artificial measures to manager rainfall and gun for favorable weather for Olympic games and ceremonies. The Beijing Government will also order more than half the city cars off the roads during August just to reduce the amount of smog as well as mitigate traffic. British Athletic Association will have their athletes issued with anti-pollution masks to avoid respiratory problems during the Olympics
