IOC President Says Beijing Pollution Could Affect Athletes' Performances

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge says Beijing Olympians health will not be harmed by pollution but their performances might be.

The International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge stated that the pollution in Beijing will not harm the competitors' this August's Summer Games, but it is possible that their performances will suffer.. "The health of the athletes is absolutely not in any danger," Rogge said. "It might be that some will have to have a slightly reduced performance, but nothing will harm the health of the athletes. The IOC will take care of that." The CBC story says that Rogge and IOC executive board member Sergei Bubka were in Singapore to observe preparations for the first Youth Olympic Games which will be held there in 2010. Approximately, 3,200 athletes aged 14-18 competing in 26 sports will compete.. When Rogge was asked about the decision by Haile Gebrselassie, the world's greatest distance runner, not to run the men's marathon in Beijing because of concerns over pollution. "Haile Gebrselassie is arguably the best long-distance runner of the present generation," Rogge said, adding that the runner is "slightly asthmatic." "He decided so far — I'm saying so far because we don't know how things will evolve — not to participate in the marathon," he said. "I would say, wait and see … when he sees the data that we are providing for them." Rogge had previously said outdoor events in August's Games could be delayed if the air quality was too poor. Pollution is not the only worry many have about this year's Summer Olympics. The violence in Tibet and other human rights issues has been a major concern. It is possible that some athletes will be wearing masks to ward off the bad air in Beijing, while many will delay their arrival in China's capital.