Dirty air clouds Beijing’s prospects with Games six months away

BEIJING: With the Olympics six months away, air pollution is taking some lustre off the glistening venues and the meticulous planning aimed at controlling every facet of the Beijing Games. 

Athletes and coaches are talking openly about the dirty air. Dozens of countries are setting up pre-Olympic training camps in Japan or South Korea. The powerful American swim team are basing themselves far away in Singapore. There are plans to test facemasks – if not in competition, at least during training and leisure time.