See that building in the background on the right? It’s supposed to be in clear view when the Olympics kick off, but this photo from Beijing’s skyline yesterday proved that marathoners should expect to be hocking loogies of soot and ash.

With only 11 days to go until the start of the Beijing Olympics, this was the smoggy scene in the Chinese capital yesterday. Visibility was down to half a mile in some parts, including the National Stadium, while the Athletes’ Village complex could not be seen from the nearby Olympic Green.

The Chinese dude in charge of depleting pollution density says it’s still a lot better than a year ago.

‘The air quality in August will be good,’ Du Shaozhong, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, told reporters on Sunday. He did not explain the reasons for his optimism. Du blamed the thick haze on a combination of fog and light wind unable to blow away the pollution, but he said pollution levels now are 20 per cent lower than one year ago in similar weather conditions. He did not provide any details.

Be ready for the mild heart-attacks and emphysema, runners. More pictures below.

Worst smog in a month hits Beijing as Olympic athletes leave it to the last minute to acclimatise to poor air [Daily Mail]
Images [Daily Mail]