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Heavy Smog Greets Olympians

Despite traffic restrictions, skies hazy as always

By Kate Rockwood,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 27, 2008 5:55 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Beijing has just 12 days left to clear its skies before the start of the Summer Olympics and things are still looking mighty smoggy, reports the AP. Visibility was a mere half-mile in some parts of the city and the Athletes’ Village was invisible from the nearby Olympic Green, despite drastic traffic restrictions in the capital. “It doesn't really look so good,” an Olympic committee member said.

“The air quality in August will be good,” said Beijing’s Environmental Protection Bureau deputy director. “Our job is to decrease the pollution as much as possible, but sometimes it is very common to have fog in Beijing at this time.” Athletes have been trickling in, but many are flying into South Korea and Japan to avoid the pollution until the last possible minute.

Olympic and national flags stand under a hazy sky. Despite drastic pollution control measures that have been effect for a week, Beijing's air quality appears much the same as it did before.
Olympic and national flags stand under a hazy sky. Despite drastic pollution control measures that have been effect for a week, Beijing's air quality appears much the same as it did before.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Tourists walk through Beijing's Tiananmen Gate as a Beijing Olympics logo is seen through hazy skies July 27, 2008. A thick fog of pollution blanketed the Chinese capital.
Tourists walk through Beijing's Tiananmen Gate as a Beijing Olympics logo is seen through hazy skies July 27, 2008. A thick fog of pollution blanketed the Chinese capital.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
Confetti flies in the air during the opening ceremony for the Athletes village. The opening came on a hot muggy morning, made more uncomfortable by the thick haze of pollution.
Confetti flies in the air during the opening ceremony for the Athletes village. The opening came on a hot muggy morning, made more uncomfortable by the thick haze of pollution.   (AP Photo/ Elizabeth Dalziel)
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