U.S. Cyclists Mask for Caution
After months of speculation about how Olympic athletes would react to the air quality problems here, some answers arrived at the airport Tuesday, when four track cyclists on the United States team stepped off their flight wearing masks over their mouths and noses.
They were the first athletes at these Summer Games seen wearing masks publicly to combat the effects of pollution, and the sight of them drew considerable attention and criticism from United States Olympic officials.
The United States Olympic Committee had issued the specially designed masks to protect athletes from the potentially harmful air here. The U.S.O.C.'s lead exercise physiologist, Randy Wilber, had advised the athletes to wear the masks on the plane and as soon as they stepped foot here.
"This is really a surprise, because I didn't think it was going to be such a big deal," team member Mike Friedman said. "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?"
edited by Colleen, News Editor
They were the first athletes at these Summer Games seen wearing masks publicly to combat the effects of pollution, and the sight of them drew considerable attention and criticism from United States Olympic officials.
The United States Olympic Committee had issued the specially designed masks to protect athletes from the potentially harmful air here. The U.S.O.C.'s lead exercise physiologist, Randy Wilber, had advised the athletes to wear the masks on the plane and as soon as they stepped foot here.
"This is really a surprise, because I didn't think it was going to be such a big deal," team member Mike Friedman said. "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?"
edited by Colleen, News Editor
