I don't think they should apologize for shit. If you're going to host the olympics, a gargantuan athletic competition, in a city filled with noxious fumes, you're going to blame the athletes for protecting themselves?

http://sports.aol.com/olympics/story/_a/bbdp/cyclists-apologize-for-wearing-masks/120467?icid=100214839x1207275918x1200379135



Cyclists Apologize for Wearing Masks

By NOAH TRISTER
,
AP
posted: 17 MINUTES AGO
comments: 482
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BEIJING (Aug. 6) - A group of American cyclists has apologized to Beijing Olympic organizers after arriving in China's capital wearing face masks.
About Face

Issei Kato, Reuters


Michael Friedman and three other U.S. Olympic cyclists caused a stir when they arrived in Beijing Tuesday wearing masks to protect themselves from the notorious air pollution around the city.
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Michael Friedman, Sarah Hammer, Bobby Lea and Jennie Reed released a statement Wednesday, a day after they caused a stir by showing up in the protective gear.
"The wearing of protective masks upon our arrival into Beijing was strictly a precautionary measure we as athletes chose to take, and was in no way meant to serve as an environmental or political statement," the athletes said. "We deeply regret the nature of our choices. Our decision was not intended to insult BOCOG or countless others who have put forth a tremendous amount of effort to improve the air quality in Beijing."
The host city's air remains a concern with the start of the games approaching. Beijing has put into effect long-planned pollution-control measures, such as taking cars off the streets, and American officials are cautiously optimistic.
Jim Scherr, the U.S. Olympic Committee's chief executive officer, said his organization didn't ask the cyclists to apologize.
China Prepares for the Olympics

Guang Niu, Getty Images


Less Air Pollution
Chinese officials have closed down 40 factories for the duration of the Olympic games to improve air quality. Before winning the bid to host the games, China pledged to clean up its notoriously polluted capital to meet World Health Organization standards.
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"Those athletes regret that action and have written an apology to BOCOG on their own behalf," Scherr said. "They now realize and understand how their actions were perceived by the host nation and by the organizing committee."
Scherr said masks have been issued to national governing bodies that requested them.
"I understand that about 200 of our athletes received those masks through the national governing body, not directly from the U.S. Olympic Committee," Scherr said. "Hopefully they won't have to use them."
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Getty Images (6)


America's best and brightest stars are getting ready for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Want to know who will be our country's top hopefuls for gold in August? Click through the gallery to find out.
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