Study warns high pollen levels could affect Olympic athletes in Paris [Video]

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

High pollen levels could hamper Olympic athletes as they go for gold in Paris, warns new research.

And the problem will be even worse if temperatures soar, say climate scientists.

The opening ceremony of the 33rd Olympics is due to take place in the French capital on Friday (July 26).

But high levels of the respiratory irritant ozone and grass pollen are likely during the two-week sporting extravaganza, suggests an analysis of historic air quality monitoring data for the city and surrounding area during previous summers.

Experts say that athletes can be affected by environmental factors, despite generally being in peak physical condition.

They warned that breathing in air pollution during exercise may pose health risks, depending on exposure levels and underlying long-term conditions- with endurance athletes particularly susceptible to allergic symptoms.

To try and estimate the potential impact of background air quality on athletes – and spectators – during the Games, researchers reviewed historic …