Click to play videoNew Delhi: The future of the Beijing Olympics looks foggy. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said that some outdoor events may be postponed because of Beijing's rising air pollution.
With just 10 months to go before next August's Games, a report by the United Nations Environment Programme criticised Beijing's progress on cleaning its air saying pollution levels exceeded WHO standards.
An IOC inspection team also echoed the same concerns. It is now monitoring the situation on a day-to-day basis.
Experts say the impact of pollution on the performance of athletes was a particular concern. Some countries are delaying their teams' arrival in Beijing until the last possible moment to protect their athletes.
The 163-page report by the UNEP highlighted some "concerns and missed opportunities" but said the Chinese capital had made "significant strides" towards hosting a "Green Olympics".
"There is no doubt the environmental projects developed in Beijing, prompted or accelerated by the award of the Olympics, represents a long-term positive legacy for the city," UNEP's director of communications, Eric Falt, told a news conference in Beijing.
Air quality has been one of the biggest issues facing the organisers of next August's Games, and International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Jacques Rogge said in August that some endurance events might have to be rescheduled if the pollution was too heavy.
"While it cannot be denied that Beijing has made, and continues to make, strenuous efforts to improve air quality, air pollution is still the largest environmental and public health issue facing the city," said the report, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, An Environmental Review.
"It remains a legitimate concern for Olympic organisers, competitors and observers, as well as for the citizens of Beijing," it added.
Of particular concern were the high levels of small particulate matter (PM10), which are sometimes more than 200 percent above recommended safe levels.
Overall, however, the report was highly positive about Beijing's work in matching the 20 environmental pledges made when the city bid to host the Games.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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