Aussie great warns of 'cruel' Beijing marathon

SYDNEY (AFP) — Australia's former world champion Rob de Castella has warned competitors in the Beijing Olympics marathon face cruel conditions from the city's chronic pollution, reports said Saturday.

De Castella, who won the marathon at the 1983 Helsinki world championships, fears the world's endurance athletes will face the most difficult climatic conditions the Games have faced since Los Angeles 24 years ago.

"The conditions will be very, very cruel, and in an event like the marathon it is so tough," de Castella told The Australian newspaper.

"I think we will see a huge attrition rate in Beijing, and it's going to take its toll on athletes."

This week the Chinese government announced that more than one million cars will be banned from Beijing's streets during the Olympics in an effort to curb pollution and ease traffic gridlock.

De Castella said he hopes what he ...