CHICAGO, Nov 3: International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge said Friday that poor air quality in Beijing could disrupt events in next year’s Games.

“We will not hesitate to delay or postpone events if the air quality could harm athletes,” Rogge said.

Beijing is often shrouded in a thick industrial haze and air pollution has frequently been cited as a major threat to the successful hosting of the Aug 8-24 games.

Rogge praised Chinese efforts to address the pollution program, saying that “substantial progress has been made.”

“Ambitious requirements for improving Beijing’s air quality will produce benefits,” he said during a speech in Chicago, which is the US candidate for the 2016 Olympic bid. “It is still a challenge, but pollution is decreasing.”

Rogge said the Olympic bid has resulted in a number of important changes in China.

“There is also progress in the area of press freedom,” he said, noting that China has opened the door to 25,000 foreign journalists who will cover the games and also report about the country.

“We expect the games to have a lasting economic impact on Beijing,” he added.—AFP