Beijing full of challenges

An elite international sporting event inevitably comes with host city baggage. Beijing is no exception — the Chinese capital has been criticized for everything from human rights practices to unsafe food.

For coaches and athletes traveling to the city for the upcoming Summer Olympics, dealing with issues that could negatively impact an athlete’s Olympic experience remains an ongoing challenge.

“There are three big issues here — the heat, the pollution and the food,” said Derek Evely, an athletics coach who co-trains Olympic athletes like defending 400-metre indoor champion Tyler Christopher and relay athletes Emmanuel Parris and Pierre Browne. 

There is not much the city can do for thermometer readings — Beijing’s average maximum temperature for August is about 30°C — but measures are in place to address their reputation for perennially grey skies. The city ordered neighbouring smog-producing plants to cease operation or drastically reduce emissions and took roughly half of all private vehicles off the roads this past Sunday, regulating numbers via odd- and even-numbered license plates.

But Megan Metcalfe, a track and field athlete and member of Canada’s 2008 Olympic Team, viewed the pollution as a secondary problem. “Our team doctor has told us that there is nothing to panic (about), the pollution is only an irritant and should not have an effect on performance,” she said. “I am more concerned about competing in the heat and humidity.”

Most Canadian athletes competing in outdoor events will acclimatize to Beijing during a 2 to 3 week training camp in Singapore. To help combat the heat whilst in the host city, Evely and his colleagues are dishing out advice that sounds similar to suggestions a recuperating invalid might receive: Stay off your feet and stay indoors.

The food issue is trickier. Questionable local food made headlines last month when Chinese Olympian Ouyang Kunpeng told domestic media he accidently ingested the banned substance clenbuterol, a bodybuilding aid, after eating tainted meat at a barbecue. He was banned from competition for life.

Susie Langley, a dietician and Ontario representative of the Canadian Sport Centre, believes Canadian athletes will stay away from local meat entirely. “No athlete wants to train this hard to get to Beijing and then jeopardize testing positive from eating local food that might be tainted with steroids.”

Langley works with swimmer Martyn Forde and sailing team members Gordon Cooke and Oskar Johanssen, all part of Canada’s Olympic team. She advises athletes to avoid street vendors and anything that cannot be peeled or vegetables that may have been washed with contaminated water.

Despite the overwhelming concerns and even official travel warnings against China  (Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to the country), expatriates in Beijing have their own opinions about the city’s offerings.

Incoming athletes should “be prepared to be awed,” said Toronto-born Richard Liu.

Liu heads the Canadians in China network and was recently appointed team attaché for the Canadian Paralympic Committee. While he admits the pollution is a pain and warns against accidentally buying fake bottled water from street hawkers, he prefers to steer visitors towards positive aspects.

“Don’t miss out on the newly renovated Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and of course the Great Wall,” he says, his enthusiasm rivaling that of a seasoned tour guide’s. “(And) the food is so amazing today. There is even obesity among the local Chinese population!” 

Dylan Budd, a lawyer who has lived in Greater China intermittently since 1999 was more outspoken on the smog.

“I definitely think pollution’s the worst part about being here,” he said. But like Liu, he is partial to the city’s cuisine and hopes visiting athletes will “try some real Chinese food.”

Budd sports a tall frame and sandy brown hair. For those traveling to Beijing who will stick out in a similar manner, he advocates tolerance.

“People yelling “hello” at you, asking to take their picture with you, staring, or commenting on the sharpness of your nose — they don’t mean any harm by it,” he said good naturedly.

Evely, the coach, believes local curiosity will not bother all the athletes.

“A 340-pound white guy walking around — he sticks out,” he said, referring to a shot put athlete who will be traveling to Beijing in a few weeks. “He’s a bit of a freak show in Canada too.”