At the same time when some are beginning to wonder whether oxygen chambers will be the next thing to be banned as performance-enhancing, oxygen masks may become part of the equipment of Canadian athletes and broadcasters attending the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, formerly known as Peking.
The fascinating capital of China that is called home by 13 million inhabitants, has less than two years to make breathing easier for visitors who are used to clean air.
That is the opinion of Nancy Lee, the often maligned head of CBC-TV Sports, who returned this week from a global broadcasters' conference in the enormous city that prides itself in having 10 highways of the type of our 401 criss-crossing and ringing it.
"I was very impressed by Beijing," said Ms. Lee in English. "It reminded me of Toronto, or Vancouver with its number of high-rise office and apartment buildings, its 8-12-lane highways and elaborate subway system. It's breath-taking."
Such an endorsement seemed out of place with the rumours of over-crowding, traffic congestion and, worst of all, high levels of smog. After some gentle prodding Miss Lee, who will lead a delegation of about 350 Canadian broadcasters and technicians to the Olympic Games after a 14-hour flight from Toronto, told me:
"We were treated very well and we were shown everything we wanted to see, providing it was already built. I think the world will be surprised by the Games. Only three things worry me -- the climate that is hot and humid at this time of year with humid temperatures reaching 35 degrees; the smog that affects your breathing and the language problem. But they have almost two years to correct the situation. They told us that during the Olympic Games they'll order the factories to shut down, which should help. As for the language problem, they have special schooling for Olympic employees and we will hire Canadians working in China who have command of both languages."
How is the staff covering the Games selected, was my next question.
"The on-air staff will, naturally, go to Beijing. That includes all English and French television and radio staff. The production crew will remain in Toronto. We haven't selected our colour commentators yet. We'll do that next year. We have to make certain we select the best people because the coverage of the Summer Games is much more complicated than the Winter Games. The Summer Games include 50 sports, while Torino this year and Vancouver in 2010 feature about half the sports."
Accommodation and transportation in recent Winter Games was at times chaotic, to say the least. However, Miss Lee is not worried about accommodation for athletes and broadcasters in Beijing. What she was shown and investigated on her own assures her that there will be no problems in that area.
I then asked the former outstanding Canadian swimmer about the facilities in the Chinese capital.
"The facilities are not yet complete, but when finished, they'll be fabulous," she replied. "The main stadium which will house the Olympic flame is situated in North Beijing in an area called Olympic Green and a part of the city that reminds one of North York. The elongated stadium is called the Bird's Nest and the area is much like Sydney was in 2000.
"The swimming pools are more rectangular, but when lit up at night they offer a spectacular view. The velodrome and rowing course will also be impressive, albeit not everything is quite finished yet but will be soon. Other venues are under construction, again soon to be completed."
Nancy, who has been the leader of CBC-TV sports for the past six years, is quite confident that the 2008 Olympic Games are destined to be, as former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch used to say after every Olympics, "the best ever."
For some reason, I might believe it this time.
GROSSLY ABBREVIATED
Toronto's Chris Rudge, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the Canadian Olympic Committee and his sidekick, David Bedford, are in Beijing this week to make arrangements for the various Canadian groups during the Olympics ... St.Michael's College will celebrate its centennial this year. A number of St.Mike's alumni, including Red Kelly, Dave Keon, Dick Duff and many others will participate in the proceedings ... Seven Wayne and Walter Gretzky golf tournaments for the benefit of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind are being played from coast to coast in Canada ... Jack and Lynne Dominico, owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club, donated 12 dozen baseballs for the CNE Peewee Baseball Tournament's 50th anniversary.
