ARE YOU PRO OR ANTI PRC?

Beijing rebuffs Olympics critics (BBC, 3/12/08)

China's foreign minister has strongly criticised "anti-China forces" he says are determined to politicise this year's Beijing Olympics.

Yang Jiechi said individuals and groups were trying to tarnish China's image.

Using the Olympics as a means of humiliating them is the only thing that would redeem the vile original decision to let them host.

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Olympians air a gripe about Beijing: Fearing the pollution, some will train offshore and may wear masks; others talk of skipping all or part of the Summer Games (Barbara Demick, 3/12/08, Los Angeles Times)

Matt Reed was 1,500 meters into the last segment of the triathlon when he found himself gasping for oxygen. His legs were still pounding away at the pavement, his body pumped up after cruising through the swimming and cycling contests, but his lungs were shutting down.

The 32-year-old triathlete from Boulder, Colo., blames air pollution for triggering his asthma attack during the September track meet.

If he returns to Beijing for the Olympics, he says, he will wear a mask except while competing. And he'll try to avoid showing up here until the second week of the Games, when the triathlon is held, even though that would mean missing the Aug. 8 opening ceremonies.

An increasing number of athletes are threatening to skip part or all of the Olympics because they believe the air is unsafe.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 12, 2008 8:19 AM