The smog, which has been caused by forest fires on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, has been described as potentially "life-threatening" to the elderly and ill in the city-state. 

Singapore's smog index reached an all-time record level of 401 on Friday (June 21).

It hovered over the "hazardous" 300 level early yesterday before dropping to a "moderate" level of 85 in the afternoon.

Government guidelines advise the public to "avoid all unnecessary outdoor activity" at levels above 300.

The haze crisis has had a dramatic impact on life in Singapore, with its residents scaling back their activities in a bid to protect themselves.

The Athletes' Forum, where top competitors from around the world and representatives of the international federations and the five Continental Associations of National Olympic Committees meet to discuss topics of direct concern to them, is held every two years and was awarded to Singapore last year and is due to start on Thursday (June 27) and last until Saturday (June 29).


"The Athletes' Forum will take place," Ng Ser Miang, vice-president of both the IOC and Singapore National Olympic Council, told insidethegames.

"There will be no effect on indoor meetings, however, some outdoor activities may be cancelled."

Among those expected to attend are Germany's Claudia Bokel, the former fencer who won a silver medal at Athens 2004 and is now chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, Russia's four-time Olympic champion swimmer Alexander Popov and America's Nagano 1998 ice hockey gold medallist Angela Ruggiero.

Britain's Adam Pengilly, vice-chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, is also due to make the trip.

At the last Forum held in Colorado Springs in 2011, a number of topics such as athletes' entourage, communications and social media, health, safety and security of athletes, anti-doping, betting and gambling were discussed.

But this year's Forum will have added significance as it is expected that the six candidates standing to replace Jacques Rogge as President of the IOC, who include Ng, will attend, along with representatives from Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo, the three cities bidding to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

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