An interesting news story from England

[Bill177]

On one hand England is forcing their athelets to sign a paper promising to make no political statements while at the games. While on the other hand:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id ... _article=1

[Fred.Mannis]

On one hand England is forcing their athelets to sign a paper promising to make no political statements while at the games. While on the other hand:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id ... _article=1

Well the IOC should have placed more weight on the smog issue when they were evaluating Beijing as a site.

Article in the NY Times last week - the US has spent considerable effort developing masks for U.S. athletes to wear. Some of our teams will be practicing outside of China and arriving immediately before the competition. Quality of food is also an issue - local Chinese cattle are so stuffed with steroids and growth hormones that athletes eating the meat would probably test positive for banned substances.

[Richard H]

On one hand England is forcing their athelets to sign a paper promising to make no political statements while at the games. While on the other hand:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id ... _article=1

Well the IOC should have placed more weight on the smog issue when they were evaluating Beijing as a site.

Article in the NY Times last week - the US has spent considerable effort developing masks for U.S. athletes to wear. Some of our teams will be practicing outside of China and arriving immediately before the competition. Quality of food is also an issue - local Chinese cattle are so stuffed with steroids and growth hormones that athletes eating the meat would probably test positive for banned substances.

When they test for steriods they are looking for metabolites of the steriod, I'd think the metabolites from actual use of steriods as oppose to those injested while eating food would be vastly different, if not then there is a big problem as almost the whole food chain is contaminated with steroids, testosterone, estragens and growth hormones, .

Is the air worse then when they had the games in Mexico City?

[Fred.Mannis]

Richard,
Just repeating what I read in the newspaper. Apparently there is sufficient concern about the local food that the US team is arranging to bring in large amounts of food from outside China for the US athletes.

As far as Mexico City smog - I cannot remember anyone wearing masks or filters.
Fred

[David Levene]

With respect, the attitude to sport and the scientific backup has moved on in the 40 years since Mexico City.

If the scientists think that wearing masks will reduce the detrimental effects of the environment then masks will be worn. The competitors will have worked too hard for too long and are not going to allow their performances to be reduced.

[RobStubbs]

Richard,
Just repeating what I read in the newspaper. Apparently there is sufficient concern about the local food that the US team is arranging to bring in large amounts of food from outside China for the US athletes.

As far as Mexico City smog - I cannot remember anyone wearing masks or filters.
Fred

I would imagine that is normal practice. A nation is not likely to risk it's athletes by exposing them to a totally different cuisine than they have been brought up on, irrespective of it's quality, or lack of.

As David says, sport is taken far more seriously now and all nations want to maximise their chances of winning.

Rob.