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A medical expert has told Sky News Online that unless smog in the Olympic capital clears, athletes may find their performance “considerably reduced”.

“It’s not a situation where you would expect any world records to be broken,” professor Frank Kelly said.

His warning comes after an exclusive Sky News report revealed pollution levels are worse than ever in the Chinese capital - 16 times worse than in London – despite attempts to ban cars and reduce factory emissions.

Mr Kelly, professor of environmental health at Kings College, London, said: “Athletes breathe in ten times as much air into their lungs as spectators.

“The pollution will cause their air passages to decrease in diameter, so they will not be able to take as much air into their lungs, which will affect their performance.

“Some of the athletes will suffer severe reactions and all will see impacts on their health. “They are pushing their bodies to their limits so pollution will have serious consequences.”

Endurance athletes, such as marathon runners, triathletes and long distance cyclists will be most at risk.

Even animals used in the events, such as horses, could suffer serious health problems, Prof Kelly added.

Reactions will include a feeling of tightness in the chest, inflammed airways, asthma attacks, skin complaints, a higher susceptibility to infections such as colds and flu, sickness and dizziness.

For competitors who are already asthmatic, the smog could have devastating consequences. During the Athens Olympics in 2004, Paula Radcliffe was knocked out of the Games after collapsing on the roadside during unprecedented pollution levels.

And in the Los Angeles Olympics, one of the world’s most polluted cities, Steve Ovett collapsed on the finish line suffering severe respiratory problems.

To combat the pollution risk, several Olympic teams are planning to spend as little time as possible in Beijing before the Games begin.

The US is flying in its team on the day before the Games commence, and is equipping its competitors with masks to wear right up until races start.

Japan’s softball team cancelled its pre-Olympics training in Beijing, saying it was worried about pollution. Australian athletes, too, are avoiding Beijing until the last minute.

And New Zealand’s athletes have been issued face masks as part of their standard team equipment. Even the French judo team - who will be sparring indoors has decided not to train there.

Beijing has poured about $16bn into environmental programmes in an attempt to reduce pollution. But a UN report suggested in some cases pollution is more than three times the safe limits set by the World Health Organisation and that it will not improve significantly before the Games, which begin on August 8.

The International Olympic Committee has said it will reschedule events if air pollution is a threat to athletes’ health, saying any decisions would be made just prior to or during the event.