CHINA: OLYMPIC GAMES: Gebrselassie decides to skip Olympic marathon due to Beijing's poor air quality

Record ID: 216811

  • Title: CHINA: OLYMPIC GAMES: Gebrselassie decides to skip Olympic marathon due to Beijing's poor air quality
  • Date: 12th March 2008
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (MARCH 3, 2008) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING OVER FOOTBRIDGE (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin), YU BAOHUA, COMPANY MANAGER SAYING: "I think it's purely a personal decision, which will not have any influence on other competitors, and will not influence the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games themselves. In terms of the air quality, according to statistics, I believe it's fairly good
  • Embargoed: 27th March 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA4G1VW2G1TRWZXS4523RMRS04W
  • Story Text: Marathon world record holder, the Ethiopian born Haile Gebrselassie, said on Monday (March 10) that he would not compete in the marathon event in the forthcoming Beijing Olympic Games.
    He said he was concerned that the city's air pollution could have a bad effect on his health, making it difficult for him to run the 42 km race. He did, however, say that he still planned to compete in the shorter 10,000 metres event.
    Gebrselassie's decision comes amidst concern from both the Chinese government and other parties over the effects of pollution during the Games this August.
    "I think it's purely a personal decision, which will not have any influence on other competitors, and will not influence the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games themselves. In terms of the air quality, according to statistics, I believe it's fairly good. Our government has attached great importance to pollution control, so we have reasons to look forward to a successful Olympic Games", said by Hou Baohua, a company manager.
    Many Chinese sports fans have shown their disapointment over Gebrselassie's decision. But some Beijingers also wished to express there were no hard feelings.
    "The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are a global event. Therefore, it's a pity that he chose not to come, both for himself and for us. But we definitely welcome him to attend other games. We respect his personal opinions. As soon as he changes his mind, we welcome him back on the marathon track", said Hou Xiaoyu, an IT company egineer.
    Beijing's air quality has come under scrutiny in the run up to the games this August, with many worried that smog could be disruptive to some events, and could expose Beijing's environmental problems on an international stage.
    Beijing's pollution has been blamed on China's heavy use of coal for power generated to feed its booming economy, as well as the rapid increase in the capital's residents' reliance on cars to get around.
    In 2007 there were an estimated 3.1 million motor vehicles in Beijing and about 1,000 to 1,200 more are added to the city's roads every day, according to Xinhua news agency.
    The government has been experimenting with various measures to control the pollution, including special days on which only cars with even or odd number plates can use the roads, and cloud seeding to to encourage rain to fall to clear the air.
    According to state media, China's chronic pollution has caused a jump in lung diseases usually associated with the elderly, with China boasting an estimated 43 million chronic lung cancer patients in 2006.
    Many of Beijing's residents admit being dissatisfied with the city's air quality, but some are optimistic that the pollution will not pose too great a threat to the Games themselves.
    "Beijing's air quality is not very good now, there are a lot of sandstorms. But when the Olympics are held in August, I think it will be better. At that time, it rains a lot, so the air quality will be improved", said Mrs. Wang, a Beijing resident.
    According to government satatistics, the Beijing reached its goal of 245 "blue sky" days for 2007 and the organisers of the Games are confdent that the quality of the air will be good enough for the event.
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