U.S. Cyclists Apologize For Wearing Masks At Beijing Airport
 |
Cyclists' Decision To Wear Masks
In Beijing Makes Front-Page News |
Four U.S. Olympic cyclists who arrived in Beijing wearing facemasks to protect against air pollution have apologized to BOCOG "for any offence they have caused," according to Andy Bull of the Manchester GUARDIAN. USOC CEO Jim Scherr: “They have written letters of apology to BOCOG, and they now understand that it wasn’t in the best judgment.” Bull reports it was “made clear that the athletes had not been forced to apologise, but had done so of their own volition ‘upon realising how what they’d done had been perceived by the host nation’”(Manchester GUARDIAN, 8/6). Scherr said, “We did not ask the athletes to apologize (and) we would not forbid our athletes from wearing masks” (REUTERS, 8/6). Mike Friedman, one of the cyclists wearing a mask, said of the resulting media attention, “This is really a surprise, because I didn’t think it was going to be such a big deal. Why we wore the masks is simple: pollution. When you train your whole life for something ... why wouldn’t you be better safe than sorry?” But Friedman and fellow U.S. cyclist Bobby Lea said that USOC officials were “unhappy with their choice, scolding the cyclists for walking off the plane wearing the masks because it might embarrass the host country.” Friedman: “They told us the Chinese were mad and that this is a politically charged issue, but we didn’t mean to offend anybody. When they handed us these masks, they never said, ‘Here they are, but don’t wear them.’” Lea said, “It’s disappointing, because I was under the assumption that the mask was approved for use because it was issued by the [USOC].” USOC Chief Communications Officer Darryl Seibel said that he “was not aware of any reprimand.” Seibel: “I’m no scientific expert, but walking through an airport doesn’t seem like the place where it would be necessary to wear them”(N.Y. TIMES, 8/6). IOC Medical Commission Chair Arne Ljungqvist: “I would not discourage athletes from wearing protection devices if they are concerned, but I do not think it is necessary. I would not wear one whether I was an athlete or not” (Manchester GUARDIAN, 8/6). CBS’ Maggie Rodriguez noted China "didn’t actually expect the athletes to use them because they claimed to have cleaned up their air” ("The Early Show," CBS, 8/6).
 |
| Ueberroth Feels Masks Offended Olympic Hosts |
MASK REAX: USOC Chair Peter Ueberroth said of the incident, "You never want to go to somebody else's place and cause any embarrassment and in this case I think they did a little bit" (AROUNDTHERINGS.com, 8/6). ESPN’s J.A. Adande called the display "disrespectful.” Adande: “It’s the first ‘ugly American’ incident of the Olympics” (“PTI,” ESPN, 8/5). FANHOUSE's Michael David Smith wrote, "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" (OLYMPICS.FANHOUSE.com, 8/5). SPORTINGNEWS.com's Dan Shanoff writes with the Olympics "based so much on faces, it is a startling image to see them covered up" by the masks (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 8/6).
IS THE AIR THAT BAD? NBC's Lester Holt said from Beijing, "Skies are quite hazy here today and air pollution readings have been inching upward the last few days" (MSNBC, 8/6). CBS’ Celia Hatton from Beijing added the “air quality has been tough for the last two days” (“The Early Show,” CBS, 8/6). But CNBC’s Carl Quintanilla, who is also in Beijing, said, “I know it’s difficult to tell when it’s on television. It looks like pollution, but the air at least to breathe really isn’t that bad" ("Worldwide Exchange,” CNBC, 8/6).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Comcast-NBC Deal May Impact Olympic Rights
November 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Tagliabue To Lead USOC Advisory Group
November 13, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Probst Discusses Plan To Fix USOC Woes
November 12, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Does USOC Chair Need Longer Term?
November 10, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
USOC Marks 100 Days Until Vancouver
November 4, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Colbert Talks Speedskating On Show
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
U.S. Public Only Gets 2% Of Vancouver Tix
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
BMW Signs As London Games Tier One Partner
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Bell Canada To Provide Exclusive Oly Content
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Top Chicago 2016 Officials Well Paid
November 17, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
