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Lead Stories: Thursday, January 8, 2009

IOC Says Beijing Air Quality Mostly Acceptable

Posted March 17th, 2008 at 9:53 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics

The International Olympic Committee today released the results of a study done by its medical commission on the air quality in Beijing and how it might impact the health and performances of athletes at this summer’s Olympic Games. The report’s results were mixed.

“The findings indicate that, at Games time one year out, the health of athletes was largely not impaired,” read a statement from the IOC. “This finding is upheld by the fact that no health issues related to air quality were reported to the IOC by any of the team physicians who looked after athletes competing during the August 2007 test events.”
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Gebrselassie Could Make Beijing U-turn

Posted March 13th, 2008 at 2:00 PM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Track & Field, Olympics

Ethiopian distance running star Haile Gebrselassie says he may compete over the marathon at the 29th Beijing Olympics if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) makes changes to the event’s venue and starting time.

On Monday, the world marathon record holder and former double Olympic 10000m champion announced that he will not take part in this year’s Olympic marathon citing Beijing’s pollution and fearing the aggravation of his own exercise-induced asthma.

But speaking on Wednesday, the 34-year old said, “I do not want to rule anything out at this point. This decision is not about Haile. It is about all athletes who will be competing. Our safety has to be protected.”
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Haile Gebrselassie Out of Olympic Marathon

Posted March 11th, 2008 at 2:15 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics

The news of Haile Gebrselassie withdrawing from the Olympic Marathon in Beijing broke while your editor was flying home from Spain. He told Reuters he’s very concerned about the air quality there, especially because he has exercised-induced asthma.

The New York Times picked up the story here (The link has been shortened): http://tinyurl.com/2papl4

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Note on the News: Beijing’s Smog Still a Big Concern

Posted December 29th, 2007 at 1:08 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Olympics

Today’s NEW YORK TIMES has a front page story on the thick smog which blankets the skies of Beijing and efforts to clean it up prior to next year’s Olympic Games.

You can read the story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/

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TFS News Briefs: 10/24/07

Posted October 24th, 2007 at 11:21 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, TFS News Briefs

Profile of Cuban 110m Hurdler Dayron Robles
Cuba News Headlines/Cuban Daily News profiles 100m hurdler Dayron Robles and explains why the Cuban people believe he ought to be the 2007 Track & Field Athlete of the Year. Read more at: [Cuba News Headlines/Cuban Daily News]

Poor Air Quality in Beijing May Force the Move of Some Distance Events to Another VenueInternational Olympic Committee inspectors are in Beijing in continuing efforts to monitor the city’s notorious pollution and to try and determine whether or not some long-distance events will be need to be moved to another city. Read more at: [Washington, PA Observer-Reporter]

NCAA Cross Country: Conference Championships Weekend
The top 5 ranked teams in NCAA Division I Cross Country (1. Oregon, 2. Northern Arizona, 3. UTEP, 4. Iona, 5. Colorado) will all be competing in their conference championship meets this weekend. Read more at: [USTFCCCA]
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