Olympics | Beijing pollution index seems to improve

BEIJING — Beijing's pollution levels are at their lowest since authorities took measures to address athletes' concerns about air quality ahead of the Olympic Games, and officials outlined additional plans if skies don't clear up further.

A cooling wind and some rain helped sweep away pollutants and gave Beijingers a respite from the sultry heat and humidity that had cloaked the city for days.

The polluted skies over the Olympic host city have been one of the biggest worries for Olympics organizers. The concerns prompted Beijing officials to institute drastic measures earlier this month, included pulling half the city's 3.3 million vehicles off the roads, halting most construction and closing some factories in the capital and surrounding provinces.

The measures are having the desired effect, Du Shaozhong, deputy director of Beijing's Environmental Protection Bureau, told The Associated Press in an interview.

"The daily data since July 20 shows an improvement in air quality. It reflects the results since we restricted traffic and stopped heavy-polluting factories and construction," he said. "That's why we say the measures have been effective."

Notes

• Two Iraqi rowers will be allowed to take part in the Beijing Olympics, the International Rowing Federation said.

"We called the IOC and asked if we could have the rowers back and the answer just came through," said Matt Smith, the federation's executive director. "We're very happy."

The two rowers, Haidar Nozad and Hamzah Hussein Jebur, were allowed back in the men's double sculls because their places had not been given to competitors from other countries, Smith said. "No one is kicked out," he said.

• Yao Ming was held to 14 points and the rest of China's team was overwhelmed by dogged Australia's defense in a 67-55 loss in a pre-Olympic warmup.

The Houston Rockets center was 5 for 8 from the field in 30 minutes. Yao had few touches as Australia forced 25 turnovers. "We have a lot to improve on in a short time, but we will do our best," Yao said.

• Nike will allow its swimmers to wear Speedo's sleek LZR Racer instead of its own suit at the Beijing Olympics.

Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer said the company felt it was fair to extend the offer it made in June allowing its swimmers to wear Speedo's suit at the U.S. Olympic trials.

"It is about putting their performance and their focus first," Stoyer said. "This is what they have trained for. It is the biggest moment of their lives."

• Tour de France runner-up Cadel Evans withdrew from the Olympic Games road time trial because of a knee injury.

Evans told reporters he will undergo treatment this week before deciding whether he will travel to Beijing to contest the road race.

• FIFA ruled that professional clubs must release players age 23 or younger for the Beijing Olympics, clearing the way for Lionel Messi to play for Argentina despite opposition from FC Barcelona.

• Former world triple-jump champion Charles Friedek won't be competing at the Beijing Olympics after losing a court appeal.

A German court upheld the national Olympic committee's decision that Friedek, who won the gold medal at the 1999 world championships, didn't fulfill the required qualifications to be nominated.

• The United States men's soccer team was held to a scoreless draw by Ivory Coast at a four-nation tournament in Hong Kong ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

• Jamaican sprinter Julien Dunkley has been dropped from the country's Olympic team, although officials declined to say whether he was the unidentified athlete who recently tested positive for a banned substance.