LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 19 (UPI) -- The International Olympic Committee said an analysis of air quality in Beijing doesn't show a serious health threat to athletes in the 2008 Olympics.
The IOC, in a release Wednesday, said its Medical Commission appraised air quality from samples taken in Beijing last August.
"The findings indicate that, at Games time one year out, the health of athletes was largely not impaired," the IOC release said. The IOC said the fact that participants in international sports events in Beijing in 2006 and 2007 didn't report air-quality health problems supports its conclusion.
However, the Medical Commission report did warn "there may be some risk" for events that some endurance events, including urban road cycling, mountain bike, marathon, marathon swimming, triathlon and road walk. If unsafe conditions are detected, the IOC may decide to postpone such events.
IOC Medical Commission Chairman Arne Ljungqvist said, "For a few sports where we do see a possible risk, we will monitor the situation daily during Games time, and take whatever decisions are needed at the time to ensure the athletes' health is protected."
The 2008 Summer Olympics are scheduled for Aug. 8-24.
