Smog

Beijing is in the process of drawing up contingency plans to lessen its traffic and smog during the 2008 Olympics.

Jiang Xiaoyu, a vice president of the Beijing Olympic organising committee, said that the plans were needed to augment long-term strategies to improve road and air conditions and ensure that the Games were a success.

Lanes on some city roads will be designated for Olympic vehicles only, and cars will also be banned.

Jiang said:

"We're striving to achieve better air quality by the 2008 Games to welcome the athletes and the Olympic family."

Beijing's roads are often clogged with traffic, and a brown haze hangs in the air.

Ironically during the IOC inspectors' visit this week, there was a heavy sandstorm and the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau recorded severely polluted air in the capital.

Hein Verbruggen, the head of the IOC's coordination committee, ignored the pollution and (refering to the venue construction) said:

"You can't think of any other word than stunning."