There should be no need for athletes to wear anti-pollution face masks at this summer's Beijing Olympics, according to the International Olympic Committee.

The Chinese capital suffers from a reputation for poor air quality but the IOC insist an independent environmental assessment conducted in August last year showed athletes' health was not at risk.

Professor Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of the IOC's medical commission, said in The Times: "They are not necessarily ideal conditions but we feel that they will be good to compete. I see no reason for cancelling events.

"(Wearing masks) seems to be an unnecessary measure to take in my judgment."

However, Professor Ljungqvist did add: "In outdoor events of more than an hour's continuous physical exertion, there may be some risk."

That would include the marathon, the event from which Haile Gebrselassie withdrew last week, citing the "threat" pollution posed to his health.

The 34-year-old, who suffers from exercise-induced asthma, will run in the 10,000 metres instead.

Professor Ljungqvist hopes Gebrselassie's decision would not set a precedent.

"I would not say that his example should be a golden example," he said.

"We feel that heat and humidity will be the major issues rather than pollution."

But he added: "It is not only a health risk.

"They (athletes) may not perform to their best level. We may not see many world records."

Sporting Life / Eurosport