As Horses Arrive For Olympic Events, Hong Kong Hits Worst Pollution Levels On Record - Reuters

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HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong choked in a thick, hot blanket of air pollution on Tuesday with the city gearing up to host Olympic equestrian events, prompting one leading riding nation to bemoan the less than ideal conditions.

With the first equestrian horses having arrived over the weekend and settling into their stables, the exceptionally smoggy weather threatened embarrassment for Hong Kong which has spent $150 million building state-of-the-art facilities and been at pains to play down the risk posed from sub-tropical heat and humidity.

On Monday, the city recorded its highest ever air pollution index (API) reading of 202 on a remote island for a brief period, while in Shatin, where the core Olympics events will be held, the level hit 173 with the general public advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities.

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The spike in pollution comes amid a bout of unusually hot and fine sub-tropical weather. Concerns over the summer heat and humidity however sparked the earlier pullout the Swiss dressage team. Despite intensified government efforts to clean up the smog in recent years which have yielded some results, air pollution has remained a serious problem, with the city's iconic harbor and top tourist destination cloaked in a thick haze this week.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Olympics/idUSHKG8454120080729?sp=true