Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Athletes will have a tricky choice next summer if the polluted air in Beijing, China, doesn't improve in time for the 2008 Olympics: stay away as long as possible, or arrive early and get used to it.

"We know how to train for heat and humidity, but not a lot of research has been done on running in the polluted atmosphere we think we'll find in Beijing," said Kyle O'Brien, an American marathoner.

Air pollution levels in China's capital are nearly five times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended safety level. China is spending billions to close dirty factories and build new subways. Last week, Beijing banned smoking in the city's 66,000 taxis. And, in another experiment for the Olympics, in August the city pulled 1 million private vehicles a day off the streets. The congestion eased, but a gray haze remained.

Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, has warned that choking smog might force some endurance events to be postponed at the Aug. 8-24 Games.

Australia's Olympic team and some others have said they won't go to Beijing until the last moment. Australia also is planning to send a medical staff of 80 -- one person for every six athletes -- to deal with the effects of heat, humidity and pollution.

Long-distance athletes take in more air and feel the most threatened, but even sprinters are worried about what they might face in Beijing.

Ireland's David Gillick, a 400-meter runner, said he plans to stay as long as possible at a training camp being set up in Japan. "I'd like to stay away" from Beijing, he said, then "just come in two days beforehand and go for it."

-- Stephen Wade, Associated Press