BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- The air quality in Beijing on Saturday, the first day of competitions in the 29th Olympic Games, is suitable for all scheduled matches, including the cycling road race, a senior municipal environmental official said here.

    The pollution reading was 79, within the range of "fairly good", Du Shaozhong, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection, told a press conference held at the Beijing International Media Center.

    The International Olympic Committee has warned it might reschedule endurance events to avoid health risks amid concerns over pollution.