Record Holder Won't Compete In Olympics Due To Pollution

alaskaguy · 03-11-2008, 11:03 AM

Ethiopian world record holder, Haile Gebreselassie says he will not run in the marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics because of the city's air pollution levels, reports Reuters.

Haile will now run at the shorter distance of 10,000m in Beijing.
"The pollution in China is a threat to my health and it would be difficult for me to run 42km in my current condition," said Haile.
"But I am not pulling out of the Olympic event in Beijing all together. I plan to participate in the 10,000 m event."

"He will probably not the run the marathon in Beijing. It's not 100 percent sure but it looks like it because of the heat, humidity and the pollution," AFP quoted Jos Hermans agent as having said on Monday.
"Indeed it's 99 percent sure. He doesn't want to put his career in danger and he still wants to run at the 2012 Olympics in London."

Link:
http://www.ena.gov.et/EnglishNews/20...ar08/52358.htm

The_Architect · 03-11-2008, 11:04 AM

I saw that and don't blame him one bit.

brianhos · 03-11-2008, 11:16 AM

Why did the olympic committee not take this into account before scheduling the games in such an evironment. Should we make them swim in a polluted lake too?

cyismydog · 03-11-2008, 11:20 AM

What about China's blatant human rights violations? Aren't they in violation of the Olympic code?

Phaedrus · 03-11-2008, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

What about China's blatant human rights violations? Aren't they in violation of the Olympic code?

I think that falls under the "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" rule.

It's in the Olympic code. You just have to look hard to see it.

cmoneyr · 03-11-2008, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by brianhos

Why did the olympic committee not take this into account before scheduling the games in such an evironment. Should we make them swim in a polluted lake too?

I like the idea, we could cut down on all these world records if they have to swim through water as thick as pea soup.

Can't blame this guy one bit.

alaskaguy · 03-11-2008, 12:42 PM

Unlike the Olympics held in Greece, the Chinese have promised that all the facilities will be completed well in advance and that the events will go off in a more orderly manner.

The Chinese are saying that they will shutter the coal plants while events are in progress, turning off the electricity to wide sections of Beijing. The Olympics will have electricity, but many of the households will have to do without.

So if you were a resident, would you be happy that maybe the air might improve for a couple weeks or be upset that you may lose electricity for a couple of weeks?

jumbopackage · 03-11-2008, 12:50 PM

It's a good thing that Kyoto was ratified and all this isn't an issue now.