Air quality and the Beijing Olympics

[underpants]

Interesting interview on NPR yesterday with the exercise physiologist of the Canadian women's soccer team.

Seems that the air quality/smog is so bad in the next host city that contingency plans to move event dates are being discussed.

This guy said that after 5 days in Beijing the Canadian women's soccer team suffered from sore throats as a result of trying to produce enough mucus to get rid of the particulates that he said you could feel as you breath.

He cited an air quality measurement that had the best of the their 5 days at a 170 the worst at a 240. What does that mean?

On any given day Washington DC measures about a 35
at the 60 level people with heart and lung ailments/weaknesses are told to stay inside
at the 90 level EVERYONE is cautioned to stay inside.

Best day was a 170.


The conventional wisdom is to rent out facilities in areas in the same time zone with roughly the same temperature and humidity (Thailand was mentioned) and then fly the team/participants in on the day of the event and then get them out as soon as possible after it so as to give them time to get ready for the next day/round.

170-240 yikes.

[earthboundmisfit]

1. Good God, WHY did they pick Beijing????

The committee should have its collective ass kicked for this one. WTF were they thinking???

[DS1]

2. Weed out the weak

of course

[jojo54]

3. I just hope that everyone going,

participants and spectators alike, take their own food & water!!!!

[kay1864]

4. Yeah, but

all the athletes get free toothpaste, so it evens out. :thumbsup:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. Hmm.

How does that compare to, say, the air quality of the L.A. summer games back in the thirties?