Air quality has long been an issue of concern in Beijing. In the weeks leading up to the 2008 Olympic Games, factories were closed and road traffic was severely restricted so athletes and spectators could enjoy relatively clean air. More recently, however, smog levels in the Chinse capital have soared off the charts.
On Sunday, the pollution level was 16 times the World Health Organisation’s recommended maximum. But that didn’t deter the organisers of the Beijing Marathon. Instead of postponing the event, they hired more medical staff to cater for the 25,000 runners, many of whom pulled out. Briton Chas Pope noted that he “felt pretty ridiculous given we’re meant to be running for health and fitness”.
As it stands, Beijing is one of the few places in the world where it is healthier to stay indoors than it is to go outside to take exercise. If something isn’t done about the air quality, perhaps the next marathon will have to be conducted inside a gymnasium on treadmills.
