08-08-08 Beijing Olympics

The Chinese government is working to get everything ready for opening day of the 2008 Olympic Summer Games.

There have been reports of Islamic terrorist plots targeting the event which Chinese officials assure us their security is handling. I’m sure these types of security issues are always a concern at any Olympic venue at any time in our modern history.

What may be a bigger concern is the air quality.

Beijing is one the most polluted cities in the world. I heard reported on television news this morning that on any given day, air quality in Beijing is 5-12% below acceptable western standards.

Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has warned the Beijing Olympic organizers that some outdoor events would be postponed if the air quality was so poor that it becomes a threat to the health of athletes.

The International Energy Agency reported that from 2000-2006, China accounted for 58%of carbon emissions worldwide.

What a shame it will be if our USA Taekwondo team is defeated by poor air and not poor performance. I can only hope that the Olympic sparring events being held indoors will counter any affects the toxic behemoth can throw.

taekwondo-network.com