Smog will jeopardize future sporting in China

After several days of heavy pollution, the wind blew away the smog just minutes before the best soccer players from Brazil and Argentina took to the field at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing on Saturday – but the damage had already been done.

Newspapers in South America had carried multiple reports of the weather, describing how the players had been virtual prisoners in their hotels. It is hard to remember when so many column inches have been devoted to the thoughts of the team doctor in the buildup to an international friendly.

The players were able to put on a fine performance, with Brazil winning 2-0, but the lasting memory for those watching in Rio or Buenos Aires at 9 am would have been China’s choking skies, not the scoreline.

Others chose to focus on the extraordinary mileage these international superstars are logging in just a few days. The eight UK-based Argentine players will have traveled 12,257 miles (19,721 kilometersd) by the time they return to London later this week via a stop in Hong Kong; the four Brazilians who ply their trade in the English Premier League next play Japan in Singapore on Tuesday, and will have flown 14,568 miles for their round-trip jaunt to Asia.

That all adds up to a lot of people – fans, coaches, players and media – who will not want this to happen again.

But the people who agree the deals – the suits at the Brazilian and Argentine Football Associations – have every financial incentive to keep coming back. Likewise, the biggest names, like Messi and Neymar, who are both keen to maximize their earning power in the world’s biggest market, will also be sure to return.

But what of the others, such as the lesser-known Diego Tardelli, who still plays in the Brazilian league? He scored both goals in Saturday’s game, but leaves China after picking up an eye infection he blamed on the pollution.

A year ago when pollution blighted both the China Open tennis and the inaugural Reignwood LPGA Classic golf tournaments, CCTV commentator Bai Yansong called for events to be canceled if the smog was too thick. This year’s tennis tournament drew an even stronger field than last year, but some notable golfers were conspicuously absent earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Tour of Beijing organizers had to shorten Saturday’s stage due to pollution concerns from the riders, but a decision has already been taken about the future: They will not be returning.