Said one of the cyclists, Mike Friedman:
"Why we wore the masks is simple: pollution. When you train your whole life for something, dot all your I's and cross all your T's, why wouldn't you be better safe than sorry?I seriously doubt that, and I think the Chinese will take these masks as a slap in the face. But really, can anyone blame the cyclists? The air quality in Beijing is horrendous, and last time I checked, healthy lungs are kind of important for Olympic cyclists. Wearing masks might not be a necessary precaution, but it can't hurt."They have pollution in Los Angeles, and if the Olympics were in Los Angeles, we would probably wear these masks, too."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-05-2008 @ 9:32PM
hootie_69 said...
Beijing citizens wear the masks all the time so I honestly don't think Beijing should be all that offended. Citizens won't be wearing them this week because I'm sure big brother told them not to but to be offended that foreigners are taking the same precautions that many of their own citizens do is ludicrous.
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8-05-2008 @ 10:32PM
§ said...
But they're wearing the masks indoors. WTF?
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8-06-2008 @ 1:30AM
E said...
These athletes are absolutely classless and disrespectful to their hosts.
Indoors too? Stay home if you're crying "Whambulance".
Unbelievable... They are only embarrassing themselves and look like fools doing it. Good on them ~ hope they finish last.
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8-06-2008 @ 7:51AM
Timo said...
I agree, wearing these masks indoors before even leaving the terminal is nothing but an insult to the host country. IF these athletes had stepped outside and found that the air was too polluted, then no one would have blamed them for wearing the masks. They have apologized though which is a good thing, i guess.
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8-07-2008 @ 3:01AM
Simmons said...
Atheletes are as responsible as ANY traveller to understand and RESPECT the cultures welcoming them. CHINESE people and a CHINESE nation will indeed be insulted by this unthinking and unthinkable gesture. (Any nation, NOT just China would be insulted). "Culture" should have been understood and explained to our athletes who have embarasseed and disgraced all americans and american athletes at the outset of olympic games. Will a few weeks of inhaling polluted air...lead to death or disability OR illness or failed athletic performance? What a singularly spectacular failing reconfirming the "ugly american stereotype".
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8-08-2008 @ 11:28AM
Tshclampitt said...
As some one who works with athletes and trains for events I can totally see why they wore the masks. Face it...there is a problem with the air quality and they are taking precautionary measures to protect their health going into the competition. I would have done the same thing. Those athletes invested a lot of time, hard(very hard) work, and passion into getting here and they need to protect themselves. I SERIOUSLY DOUBT they were meaning any disrespect.
Why is it so many people will jump the gun to make that claim but never stop to think that they are simply respecting their bodies and their health. How about some respect for the athletes... I mean how many of you out there complaining have made these kind of investments those athletes have to get to the games? My guess...especially looking at the amount of obese/sedentary individuals in not only America but the world, my guess is very very few people.
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