Beijing Olympics Results, Day One: The 1500 M Smog Dodge

EIGHTH PLACE:

"The expert advice that we are getting is that the situation continues to improve."
-Simon Clegg, British Olympic Association (UK)


SEVENTH PLACE

"Haze does not mean poor quality air."
-China Daily web site (CHINA)


SIXTH PLACE:

"I haven't heard from any athlete that they're not going on with the job."
-AOC VP Peter Montgomery (before any events)(AUSTRALIA)


FIFTH PLACE:

"Most of the smog here is evaporation. It's due to humidity."
-Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of the IOC medical commission (SWEDEN)


FOURTH PLACE:

“The pollution levels are coming down."
-Jacques Rogge, AOC Chairman (BELGIUM)


BRONZE MEDAL:

"I suffer from asthma, and I'm having to take supplements to protect my lung lining"
-Alison Williamson, Archery (UK)


SILVER MEDAL:

"The weather conditions aren't conducive to the dispersal of pollutants,''
-Guo Hu, Beijing Meterorlogical Observatory (CHINA)


GOLD MEDAL:

"If Chinese officials do succeed in temporarily 'clearing the air' in Beijing for the Olympic Games, one is left to wonder what Chinese will say if . . . severe air pollution once again is allowed to return. Will they interpret this to mean that there can only be Potemkinized clean air for foreign visitors?"
-Orville Schell (US)

Now, please rise for the Olympic Anthem:

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