Beijing failing pollution test - Olympics.
With the 2008 Olympic games due to start on the 8th August anyone going to the Chinese capital Beijing would appear to need a good supply of filter masks if a test on the pollution levels in the Chinese capital which was conducted by the BBC is to be believed.
When Beijing bid for the Olympics in 2001, it said that its air would meet World Health Organization standards. The tests for airborne particles called PM10 was conducted over a 7 day period, and the City failed to meet the required level on 6 of those days.
In fact the levels were found to be 7 times over the World Health organisations permitted levels.
The Chinese believe they still have time to get the problem sorted but it is a big ask, and i for one would not want to run a marathon in those conditions and it must place an even greater strain on any athlete involved in endurance events.
But then call me cynical but when have an athletes wishes been put before those of TV and commericial business needs, heaven forbid someones health comes before the opportunity to get rich.
