Beijing renews clean air pledge for Olympic Games

The Chinese government insists anti-pollution plans are on schedule, after the marathon record holder withdraws from this year’s Olympics

Chinese government officials today promised clean air for the 2008 Olympic Games, just a day after record holder Haile Gebrselassie withdrew from the marathon race at the games because of pollution fears.

Zhang Lijun, deputy chief of China’s State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), said an anti-pollution plan is already in place. "Our experts predicted that the standard of air quality can be guaranteed and the commitment we made could be fulfilled after this plan is realised," he said.

Speaking at a press conference during the annual session of China's National People's Congress (NPC), Zhang expressed full confidence in government anti-pollution plans to reduce industrial pollutants in the capital and the five surrounding provinces of Tianjin, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi and Shandong.

"So far the mission of cutting down pollution and adjusting industrial structure has been largely done, and will be fully completed by the end of June, " said Zhang. "During the Games, some areas in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei must stop or reduce the production of certain factories, and the other three provinces must restrict their coal-burning according to Beijing's air quality situation."

Ethiopian world record-holder Haile Gebrselassie yesterday pulled out of August's Olympic marathon, citing asthma-related health concerns. However he will still attempt to qualify for the Beijing 10,000 meters event.

Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), last year announced contingency plans to reschedule endurance events such as marathons and distance cycling, should air conditions prove unacceptable.