Gilbert Felli (L), the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Games executive director, is interviewed by a Xinhua reporter at the office of Xinhua News Agency at the Main Press Center (MPC) in Beijing, China, July 29, 2008. Felli visited Xinhua's office at MPC on Tuesday. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

IOC official downplays air quality concerns

    BEIJING, July 29 (Xinhua) -- A senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official on Tuesday played down concerns about Beijing's air quality, saying that the possibilities of rescheduling outdoor endurance events would be low.

    With exactly 10 days to go before the Beijing Games opens on Aug. 8, the organizers still face a daunting challenge - the weather. A whole week of hot and humid weather with no rainfall and a persistent haze dampened people's mood and undermined a newly-built confidence in the city's air quality.

    When asked about the likelihood of rescheduling endurance events, IOC's Olympic Games executive director Gilbert Felli said, "Now, we don’t feel it necessary." Full story