Beijing schools keep sports day amid heavy smog  

北京重度污染天 部分學校仍進行戶外運動會(圖)

(ECNS) --- Although choking smog has blanketed China's capital starting Sunday, sports days went ahead as scheduled at schools in Beijing, which caused some dissatisfaction from parents concerned about their children's health.

The municipal meteorological center in Beijing issued a yellow smog warning at 10 o'clock Monday morning. Many people wore masks when going outside, but students in Beijing gathered outside to 'enjoy' their annual autumn sports day amid the smog.

Some parents voiced their dissatisfactions about the arrangement, saying that taking strenuous exercises amid such severe smog was harmful to health. They suggested schools reschedule the event or just cancel.

A principal of one middle school responded that an all-day sports meeting was a big event attended by over a thousand people. Arrangements and preparations required efforts from the school, students, and parents, and that it was impossible for a school to change the schedule on such short notice.

The autumn sports day just before the National Day holiday has become a tradition for schools in Beijing, giving students a longer respite from their heavy work load.