World athletes could try lucks in Beijing
By Zhao Huanxin (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-03-12 11:13

Air quality in Beijing is to become better and better, and world athletes may "try their luck" in breaking world records during the coming summer Olympic Games five months later, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in Beijing on Wednesday.

"The majority of the athletes who are going to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games are satisfied with the air quality, environment and sports facilities - they have full confidence in these conditions," Yang told a press conference on the sidelines of the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress.

"It is up to debate whether China is a major sports country or a world sports power, but there is one thing for sure that many Chinese athletes have broken world records in Beijing. So if they can't break world records elsewhere, maybe they can come to Beijing and try their luck here," he said.

The minister said China takes climate change seriously and Chinese Government has taken a full range of effective measures to tackle climate change.

"I believe air quality will become better in Beijing and in China," he said.

Last Saturday, Jacques Rogge，president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said that China is making big strides in clearing up its air quality ahead of the 2008 Olympics.