Two Runners In Critical After HK Officials OK Marathon Despite High Smog

[hatrack]

Two runners who collapsed while taking part in the Hong Kong marathon at the weekend remained hospitalised in critical condition as the race organiser defended the decision to go ahead with the race despite heavy pollution. The two runners, aged 33 and 53, collapsed Sunday during the Chinese territory's biggest annual foot race in which 40,000 people took part.

The 33-year-old's condition had improved by Monday and he was able to eat, though both men remained critical, said the chairman of event organiser the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association, William Ko. Ko dismissed concerns there were insufficient doctors and first aid staff to help a record 4,800 injured runners, adding most problems were light foot injuries or cramps.

He also defended the decision to stage the race amid the worst air pollution since September. The air pollution index reached a "very high" 149 in some areas, a level at which local authorities usually issue health warnings for people with heart or respiratory illnesses. But Ko said an index of 100 before the race was suitable for running. "We believed the weather was suitable for the marathon," he told reporters on Monday.

Environmental lobby group Clean the Air chairman Annelise Connell criticised the authorities for using outmoded air pollution standards. "The standard was set in 1987," she said.

EDIT

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=107889

[NNadir]

1. This recalls the 1952 events in London.

According to the link, the real death toll was about 12,000 people.

http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session4/27/greatsmog52.htm

Of course, more than 10,000 people die each day from air pollution in our times, but this case was a remarkable visible spike.