Comments on: Asthma and the 2008 Olympics http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/ Raising a breathless kid, traveling, and other adventures a mile high. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:32:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Asthma Mom » 2008 Olympic Asthma Profiles - Haile Gebrselassie http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-1105 Asthma Mom » 2008 Olympic Asthma Profiles - Haile Gebrselassie Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:43:29 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/#comment-1105 [...] for his first gold medal in marathon at the 2008 Olympics. Because he has asthma, the 35 year-old withdrew from the event last spring over breathing worries in the face of Beijing’s air [...] [...] for his first gold medal in marathon at the 2008 Olympics. Because he has asthma, the 35 year-old withdrew from the event last spring over breathing worries in the face of Beijing’s air [...]

]]> By: Amy http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-533 Amy Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:14:58 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/#comment-533 Ah, yes. When I wrote this post, at the very end I started to write "And then there's Tibet." But the thing was already too long anyway, so I left it off. I know a couple of groups are boycotting the Olympics b/c of Tibet--it will be interesting to see if more athletes pull out for health reasons. Ah, yes.
When I wrote this post, at the very end I started to write “And then there’s Tibet.”

But the thing was already too long anyway, so I left it off. I know a couple of groups are boycotting the Olympics b/c of Tibet–it will be interesting to see if more athletes pull out for health reasons.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-528 Michelle Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:08:37 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/#comment-528 This is a great "watercooler" topic. It really has people talking. I agree that the Olympic committee should start seriously considering environmental factors such as air quality when choosing venues. I always assume its political, so awarding host status to a country with sludge in the air and, oh yeah, a history of abetting genocide, doesn't really surprise me. This is a great “watercooler” topic. It really has people talking. I agree that the Olympic committee should start seriously considering environmental factors such as air quality when choosing venues. I always assume its political, so awarding host status to a country with sludge in the air and, oh yeah, a history of abetting genocide, doesn’t really surprise me.

]]> By: Amy http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-523 Amy Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:10:17 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/#comment-523 Big AG, Yeah--exactly my reaction. I've seen all kinds of numbers for asthma and other breathing problem-related death rates in that area and it's just very, very sad. Brittney, Radcliffe's husband/manager has been quoted in a couple of stories about the "research" they've done on her meds and the pollution. I know a LOT of athletes (and especially the asthmatic ones, I'm betting) aren't arriving in the city until the last possible moment, to decrease their exposure. I'm interested in her performance, too. Hi Bryan, thanks for stopping by. "Hundreds of thousands of Chinese people die every year due to pollution related afflictions. It’s really a silent tragedy." I couldn't agree more, and one benefit (I guess) of the Olympics taking place there this summer is all this exposure for the problem. I just hope the concern lasts. Big AG, Yeah–exactly my reaction.
I’ve seen all kinds of numbers for asthma and other breathing problem-related death rates in that area and it’s just very, very sad.

Brittney,
Radcliffe’s husband/manager has been quoted in a couple of stories about the “research” they’ve done on her meds and the pollution. I know a LOT of athletes (and especially the asthmatic ones, I’m betting) aren’t arriving in the city until the last possible moment, to decrease their exposure. I’m interested in her performance, too.

Hi Bryan, thanks for stopping by.
“Hundreds of thousands of Chinese people die every year due to pollution related afflictions. It’s really a silent tragedy.”

I couldn’t agree more, and one benefit (I guess) of the Olympics taking place there this summer is all this exposure for the problem. I just hope the concern lasts.

]]> By: bryan http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-522 bryan Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:43:41 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/#comment-522 I think there are a couple issues you bring up. First, the issue really isn't that <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/haile_gebrselassie" rel="nofollow">Haile Gebrselassie</a> is dropping out, though I think all fans of the Olympics and the marathon are missing out by his doing so. Here's to hoping he medals in the 10k. Like most Americans, I'm looking forward to seeing how <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/ryan_hall" rel="nofollow">Ryan Hall</a> fares. Can he live up to the expectations? The bigger issue, of course, is the pollution levels. I'm not sure, but I think the pollution is significantly worse now than when Beijing was awarded the Games. Maybe that should have been predicted, but China's economic rise and pollution problems have been off the charts in terms of historical comparisons, so... Hundreds of thousands of Chinese people die every year due to pollution related afflictions. It's really a silent tragedy. I think there are a couple issues you bring up. First, the issue really isn’t that Haile Gebrselassie is dropping out, though I think all fans of the Olympics and the marathon are missing out by his doing so. Here’s to hoping he medals in the 10k.

Like most Americans, I’m looking forward to seeing how Ryan Hall fares. Can he live up to the expectations?

The bigger issue, of course, is the pollution levels. I’m not sure, but I think the pollution is significantly worse now than when Beijing was awarded the Games. Maybe that should have been predicted, but China’s economic rise and pollution problems have been off the charts in terms of historical comparisons, so…

Hundreds of thousands of Chinese people die every year due to pollution related afflictions. It’s really a silent tragedy.

]]> By: Brittney http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-521 Brittney Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:09:33 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/#comment-521 The runner I'm keeping an eye on for the Olympic marathon is Paula Raddclif (sp?). She won the NY marathon, has won London and last I knew she held the world record for the marathon. She has asthma too. I wonder how this is going to affect her. The runner I’m keeping an eye on for the Olympic marathon is Paula Raddclif (sp?). She won the NY marathon, has won London and last I knew she held the world record for the marathon. She has asthma too. I wonder how this is going to affect her.

]]> By: Asthmagirl http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-520 Asthmagirl Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:58:06 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/03/11/asthma-and-the-2008-olympics/#comment-520 I looked at that last picture and 10% better than THAT wouldn't work for me. I don't know how as asthmatic in China could function in that stew. Oh my.... I looked at that last picture and 10% better than THAT wouldn’t work for me. I don’t know how as asthmatic in China could function in that stew.

Oh my….

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