The potential effect of China’s pollution on the 2008 Summer Olympic Games is becoming more and more obvious, as the world record holder in the men’s marathon stated a few months back he will not compete due to pollution, and now the woman’s world record holder says that the pollution could force her to wear a mask when not competing.   Yesterday, Paula Radcliffe stated that the use of a mask while in Beijing may be necessary to help keep her asthma in check.   In an interview with BBC Radio, she said,

“I think the biggest factor is going to be runny eyes, runny nose and sore throat after the event - and if things go according to plan in the race, I don’t particularly care. The biggest thing for me is to make sure my asthma is under control - which it is - and minimise the effects of pollution in the lead-up to the race.” [news.scotsman.com]

This is another damaging blow to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, as in March, Haile Gebrselassie (men’s marathon record holder) stated that, “The pollution in China is a threat to my health and it would be difficult for me to run 42 kilometers in my current condition [espn.com],” and simply will not compete.   As well, the president of the International Olympic Committee has not ruled out that “events such as the marathon, road cycling, triathlon, open-water swimming and race walking could be postponed if the effects of the air pollution were exacerbated by the weather.”

In response, China has said that pollution levels are lowering, and construction around Beijing is being stopped for the three months leading up to the games, which actually is just about right now.   It remains to be seen what, if any, effect this policy has.

Though there’s not much you and I can do to enact air quality change in China, you can and learn 50 easy ways to reduce air pollution in your own life.