To the IOC, “Some Risk” Apaprently Now Means, “Air You Can Chew”.
Luckily, the IOC is a famously neutral and non-political body capable of dispensing the privelege of hosting the Olympics to places that hold the best interests of the athletes at heart and do much to foster the spirit of international competition (such at the Tibetan Monk Beatdown and the Protestor Skeet Shoot). I say that because if they aren’t, I’m going to have to see this story as little more than shilling for the tyrants in Beijing.
An analysis on Beijing’s air quality commissioned by the IOC indicated some risk to athletes in outdoor endurance events such as road cycling and marathon, but overall good conditions.
Arne Ljungqvist, the chair of the International Olympic Committee’s Medical Commission, said endurance events lasting more than an hour could expose participants to breathing problems, but the overall findings showed that “conditions will be good for athletes during the games.”“The risk is more related to the fact that they may not perform at the best level,” he said.
Oh, is that the risk? Silly me. I rather thought that air that looked like this might do a bit worse than slow down my stride:
But what do I know? I’m one of those neocon throwbacks who thinks that you don’t reward tyranny with a big, fat plum like the Olympics.
Other Posts of Interest:
Category: 2008 Olympics, No More Tyrants
