Beijing Olympic Smog

'Beijing Huanjing Ni'- welcome to Beijing! The wait is nearly over for the XXIX Olympiad and China gets ready to show the world what it can do. But as concerns for our planet continue to mount, what about the issue of the infamous Beijing Olympic smog?

Well the skies are blue as the reports and stats show that Olympic air quality is of a particularly high standard, which is great news for those who are considering a flutter on endurance events. The likes of the marathon, road cycling and triathlon would possibly have fallen victim to rescheduling if Olympic air pollution levels were high, which in turn could play havoc with prices.

One slice of luck from a betting perspective is that Haile Gebrselassie, the marathon world record holder, is unlikely to compete because of conditions, which means the outsiders will have a better chance of taking a medal. Of course this means potential value for that particular market.

Those with longer memories will hark back to 1968, when Mexico City played host. It was a controversial choice due to the air containing 30% less oxygen at sea level, which spelt disaster for some of the endurance athletes. The measures taken for 2008, particularly with industrial and vehicle emissions, could mean a bright future for all sporting events and ensure that environmental issues such as the Beijing Olympic smog remain a thing of the past.

But no Olympic preview would be complete without a mention of that most vital of ingredients- yes, the mascot! And this summer we get five for the price of one. They are known collectively as 'Fuwa', with each representing a different blessing, honouring ancient Chinese tradition. Nini, the swallow, represents good luck- a final message to all you punters before the torch is lit.