The Olympics in China

Scientists at the US Olympic Training Center are currently trying to devise ways for athletes to train/perform more productively in the upcoming Olympics in Beijing. The problem for the athletes is the thick pollution that hovers over the city. Air quality in Beijing can register as high as five times above the World Health Organization's standard for safety. The scientists and trainers are fearful that the pollution may cause or exacerbate the breathing problems some athletes face. Chinese officials have been stressing that the pollution will not be a problem when the Olympic Games start. The officials plan to make many changes in order to ensure that pollution will be minimized, from limiting vehicle use to temporarily closing factories. However, with the Games only a few months away, scientists are not sure that there will be enough time for generating those clearer skies in Beijing. In fact, scientists are stressing to athletes that they train elsewhere and arrive in Beijing at the very last moment for competing in their sport.