Australia's Mark says bring on the smog

BEIJING (Reuters) - Australian shooter Russell Mark is a rarity among the competitors at the Beijing Games -- the more smog and pollution the better for the former Olympic double trap champion.

Mark, 44, said the hazy conditions that have blanketed the Chinese capital are perfect for his sport and he hopes the skies never clear.

"The more the better for an old guy like me," he told a news conference on Tuesday.

"It looks better than it was when I was here a few months ago but to be honest, for us, the smog actually helps."

Mark is already one of Australia's most successful shooters. He won a gold medal in the double trap at Atlanta in 1996 and silver in Sydney four years ago and is hoping the conditions in the Chinese capital will help him win another medal.

"I can actually see those little orange disks a lot better in the sky than with a perfect white background," he said.

"So, as many cars as they want to get on the road the day I compete, I'd be quite happy about."

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) have gone to extraordinary lengths to help their athletes cope with the pollution problems and AOC vice-president Peter Montgomery said the early signs were all encouraging.

"We've been aware of this matter for a very long time," Montgomery said.

"We're checking the (air quality) readings all the time and we're determined to get on with the job.

"We haven't had any athletes that have expressed any desire to go home. It's not a matter of concern to the athletes, we've done this matter until we're blue in the face, so to speak."

(Editing by Miles Evans)