From
August 8-24, the 2008 Olympics will be in full swing in Beijing, China,
but air pollution is at the forefront of many organizers' minds. In
fact, earlier this week the International Olympic Committee's top
medical official said
that although the air quality shouldn't affect athletes' health, it
"could affect world-class performances." Some athletes are unwilling to
risk their health to complete. The world record holder for the
marathon, Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia who suffers from
exercise-induced asthma, has already withdrawn from the event. He is
"one of a long list of athletes and officials to have voiced concern
over pollution." These statements make me wonder just how many athletes
will withdraw and how it will affect the competition, especially those
who are considered to be "the best" in their event.
What I don't
understand is if air pollution is such a big deal, why did the IOC
decide to hold the 2008 Olympics in Beijing in the first place? Maybe
from now on this problem will be addressed when choosing the host city
where future Olympics will be held."
Posted By Keli Rising At 03:50 PM - (CDT)
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AUTHOR BIO
Keli Rising
Read my thoughts about what's happening in healthcare around the world, with some tidbits on the best places to travel.
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Read my thoughts about what's happening in healthcare around the world, with some tidbits on the best places to travel.
