Weather experts said this August was much hotter and drier compared to previous years in Beijing but it is still too early to predict whether the 17-day session next year will be the same.

"In terms of weather, anything can happen in Beijing," said Sun Jisong, chief forecaster of the Beijing Meteorological Bureau, one day after the conclusion of back-to-back test events.

"The weather here is very unpredictable and it's under the impact of monsoon climate," said Sun, who visited Athens twice to study the situation.

He said when Athens hosted the Games between August 12 and 28 in 2004, all 17 days were hot, sunny and dry, a stable environment for athletes to compete.

Between August 8 and 24 this year, the same period of the 2008 Olympics, the average day-time temperature was between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius, (89 to 95 Fahrenheit), or two to five degrees higher than previous years. The peak temperature of 37.3 degrees Celsius (99 F) on August 9 was a record high since August 1951.

Besides, there were only two drizzles during this period and two scattered thundershowers on August 1 and August 6, just prior to the one-year countdown.

Athletes who took part in several outdoor test events this summer may have felt like the air was about 39 degrees (102F) at noon. But Games officials said as long as athletes follow the health manuals, the hot weather shouldn't be a big problem.

(China Daily August 31, 2007)