Marathon world-record holder Haile Gebrselassie will not compete in his favored event at the Beijing Olympics this summer over fears that polluted air will damage his health. The Ethiopian runner, who has exercise-induced asthma, will try to qualify for the Games in the 10,000-meter race instead. Other athletes have expressed similar concerns about the breathability of Beijing, but Chinese officials continue to issue assurances that air quality will not be a concern.
