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Wednesday
September 10, 2008
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USOC Apologizing To Cyclists Who Wore Masks In Beijing Airport

USOC Drafting Letter To Apologize To Cyclists
Like Reed For Handling Of Pollution Mask Situation

The USOC is "drafting a letter of apology to the four Olympic cyclists whom USOC officials publicly condemned for wearing anti-pollution masks upon their Aug. 5 arrival" at the Beijing airport, according to Philip Hersh of the CHIGAGO TRIBUNE. The USOC "will admit being wrong in the way the matter was handled." USOC Chief Communications Officer Darryl Seibel "confirmed the USOC will send a letter to the athletes 'acknowledging some aspects of the situation could have been handled differently and better.'" Three of the cyclists -- Sarah Hammer, Jennie Reed and Bobby Lea -- and their attorney Christopher Campbell "discussed the case" yesterday with USOC CEO Jim Scherr in a conference call. The fourth cyclist, Mike Friedman, "had spoken Monday with Scherr." The letter will "acknowledge, among other things, it was a mistake to have no athlete representative present when USOC officials asked for the apology." The letter "likely also will note the USOC's failure to have one of its staff members at the airport to advise the athletes to take off the masks" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/10).

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