IOC harbors doubts over Beijing conditions

BEIJING, China -- The International Olympic Committtee (IOC) has given a tentative thumbs up after studying the results of an independent inquiry into air quality for the Beijing Games, but admitted that there are still risks to athletes in the outdoor endurance events.

Concerns over pollution in the Chinese capital were again highlighted last week when Ethiopia's long distance running star Haile Gebrselassie, an asthma sufferer, told reporters he would skip the marathon for fears his health would be damaged.

IOC President Jacques Rogge has repeatedly said that events would be postponed if the air quality is poor, which would be a huge embarrassment for organizers hoping to feature a clean, modern city.

But Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of the International Olympic Committee's Medical Commission, said on Monday that an analysis by four independent experts of data supplied by Beijing organizers found heat and humidity might be a greater threat to athletes than the city's noxious air.

"In general terms I must say that I am sort of pleased really with the outcome of this analysis," Ljungqvist said, speaking to Associated Press on a conference call from Sweden.

"We find that the competitions, although not necessarily under ideal conditions at every moment ... will be good for athletes to compete during the Beijing Games."

Ljungqvist said the data were gathered on August 8-29 2007 in Beijing, dates that roughly match this year's Olympics -- and were supplied after the IOC requested the study.

However, the IOC's commission conceded there will be some risk to competitors in endurance events "that include minimum one hour continuous physical efforts at high level - urban road cycling, mountain bike, marathon, marathon swimming, triathlon and road walk".

And the risk is deemed high enough for the IOC to begin working on "procedures which will allow a 'plan B' to be activated for such events if necessary".

Ljungqvist said the decision to postpone any event would be made by the IOC executive board and IOC coordinating commission.

Gebrselassie expects more athletes to follow his lead and drop out of some events at the Olympics because of Beijing's notorious air pollution.

The two-time Olympic 10,000-meter champion said Monday he was disappointed about not competing in the marathon but that there was no way he would reconsider running the race at the Games.

"My decision not to run in Beijing is definite. Now I have to decide whether to run the 10,000 meters," Gebrselassie told Efe news agency. "I was in the city in August and I know what the extreme conditions of pollution, heat and humidity are. It's going to be the hardest marathon in history."

Justine Henin has already said she won't defend her tennis gold medal. The four-time French Open champion blamed the pollution for aggravating her asthma.

Some long-distance runners could wear face masks to counter the problem.

The 34-year-old Gebrselassie, who holds the world marathon record of 2 hours, 4 minutes, 26 seconds, sees the 10,000 as a viable option.

"The 10,000 presents a lot less problems. It's four times shorter, it's being run in the afternoon, it'll be less hot with less humidity," the Ethiopian said.

Gebrselassie also expressed his desire to end his career with a gold medal at the 2012 London Games, though he didn't expect the world record to drop under two hours by then.

"It'll be hard to get under two hours in the next 20 years," he said.