Australia concerned for Olympic athletes as smog plagues Beijing

Tuesday 05th August, 04:10 PM JST

SYDNEY —

The Australian government is concerned about the effects of pollution on athletes as hazy smog continues to plague the Beijing skyline, Environment Minister Peter Garrett said Tuesday. With the Olympic Games only three days away, Garrett expressed concern for athletes forced to compete in current conditions.

‘‘I think it’s a real issue for authorities there and also for the Australian team and for athletes generally, and I know that the Australian team medical staff will be monitoring the conditions really closely,’’ Garrett told Sky News Australia, a cable and satellite news channel. Garrett said he recognizes that the Chinese government has taken a number of measures to reduce pollution levels in and around Beijing, but said the smog serves as a warning about how important it is to reduce global pollution levels.

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7 Comments

rajakumar at 05:59 PM JST - 5th August

Thank you Peter Garrett of Midnight oil. Fair is fair. A fact is fact.

How fair is beijing to her enviromental health.
ExPrinceska at 09:37 PM JST - 5th August

Aussies already are searching for reasons to justify lack of medals in Beijing.
USNinJapan2 at 10:11 PM JST - 5th August

ExPrinceska

Or maybe they're genuinely concerned for their athletes' health and for the environment in general, unlike your country? Do you even know who Peter Garrett is? Judging by your comment I doubt that you do...
some14some at 10:25 PM JST - 5th August

Media smog is more harmful, that's it.
Sarge at 10:52 PM JST - 5th August

The IOC knew of the smog problem in Beijing before awarding the city the Olympics, right?
Terrikus at 02:21 AM JST - 6th August

Everybody did, Sarge
HonestDictator at 07:28 AM JST - 6th August

Well, some of it China can fix in a few months and some of it can't. They've got 2 problems in Beijing that will take a long time to fix. Dust storms from the local desert and the coal smog being blown over from other areas in China.

Even though China may be becoming "wealthier" and getting more business, they still need to focus on developing more environmentally as well as economically. If the government was smarter, they would look for affordable environment freindly means to develope their country while they still can. Other countries have the technology and I'm sure would be willing to share with China if they'd ask.