Jacques Rogge, the head of the International Olympic Committee, has praised Beijing’s “extraordinary efforts to cut pollution ahead of the games. He claimed there would be no danger to the health of athletes, despite continuing concerns about pollution levels.

The BBC News reports that, “he was speaking as dignitaries from around the world gathered in China’s capital for Friday’s opening ceremony. Among them is US President George Bush, who earlier expressed “deep concerns” about Beijing’s human rights record.”

President Bush spoke in the Thai capital of Bangkok, before traveling to the Games, where he praised China’s economy but said only respect for human rights would let it realize its full potential. But China rejected Bush’s criticisms as “interference” in its internal affairs.

Nonetheless, a day before the Games, a BBC reading suggested Beijing’s air quality was far below World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

According to the BBC, “it put levels of particulate matter (PM10) at 191 micrograms per cubic meter. The far exceeds the WHO target of 50 micrograms/cubic meter, and also exceeds the WHO target for developing countries of 150 micrograms/cubic meter.

Mr. Rogge urged reporters to distinguish between pollution and fog.

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