Ethiopia's world record holder for the marathon Haile Gebrselassie pulled out of the marathon earlier this week saying that he feared the conditions in the Chinese Capital could damage his health.

 

The University of Exeter has been working on a mask for British athletes to wear that they claim would help ease the problem.

 

It had been anticipated that athletes like Paula Radcliffe and the cyclists may have taken advantage of the offer.

 

But Colin Moynihan, the chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA), said that athletes would be banned from using them.

 

He said: "No Team GB athlete will wear a mask in Beijing.

 

"The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have made it clear that they will be monitoring conditions and are focussing on the air conditions there.

 

"We are discussing it with them and are happy to take their advice.

 

"They do not think masks will be of any effect.

 

"It's advice I heartily endorse."

 

Simon Clegg, the chief executive of the BOA, said: "This is not going to be an issue because of the strong measures the IOC are proposing."

 

Earlier, the IOC President Jacques Rogge had claimed that masks would be "totally useless".

 

He said: "The unanimous report of our medical commission is that the masks are not efficient.

 

"The use of masks in competition fall under the rules of the federations and some will not allow it.

 

"Others will be ambivalent. I recommend the athletes not to wear masks because our experts say they are not efficient.

 

"They can do whatever they want but I am telling them it's totally useless."