Beijing Smog May Displace Some 2008 Olympics Events

With a year to go before the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and anticipation growing after a glittering ceremony in China marking the milestone, concern about the air quality in Beijing came from the highest level.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said some endurance events may not be safe, because air quality in Beijing can be so poor, according to the Toronto Star.

The showcase for the world's athletes ought to have conditions that allow for their strongest performance. The great thing about the Olympics is its power to mobilize the people of the world, and bring them together around a peaceful contest. In today's world, that function of the Olympics has great value.

China has proved that it can move quickly on projects -- its rapid economic growth attests to that. If the Olympics can spur it to clean up its air at a similarly fast pace, the games will have had a great effect.

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