Olympic Games Beijing 2008

With a month remaining before the Beijing Olympics, the International Olympic Committee praised the city’s preparations but also cited one “open issue” that remain: whether the city can deliver good air quality.Meanwhile, environmental officials are focused on delivering blue skies, despite recent weeks that have brought unusual amounts of rain mixed with haze. Mr. Verbruggen said local officials briefed the I.O.C. delegation about the city’s contingency plans to improve air quality during the Games by temporarily closing factories in much of northern China and also restricting automobile traffic in Beijing. Beijing officials point to reductions in certain air pollutants and say the city has made measurable progress, even as they agree that more needs to be done. But independent analysts have questioned claims of progress. Earlier this year, Jacques Rogge, the I.O.C. president, cautioned that Beijing might need to postpone the marathon and other endurance events if air quality did not meet certain standards.

Source: NY Times