August 6, 2008
Video: U.S. cyclists arrive in Beijing wearing masks
Is the air quality at the Beijing airport really that bad? The New York Times has the story (and some photos):
The masks they wore were specially designed by and issued to them by the United States Olympic Committee. The U.S.O.C.’s lead exercise physiologist, Randy Wilber, had advised U.S. Olympians to wear the masks on the plane and as soon as they stepped foot in Beijing.Two of the cyclists wore the masks on the plane. The other two put on the masks when they arrived at the airport.
“This is really a surprise because I didn’t think it was going to be such a big deal,” 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?
“They have pollution in Los Angeles, and if the Olympics were in Los Angeles, we would probably wear these masks, too.”
But U.S.O.C. officials were apparently unhappy with that choice, reprimanding the cyclists for walking off the plane wearing the masks, two of the team members said.
To be fair, they aren't the first people we've seen wearing masks on planes and in airports — that was during SARS — but when we initially saw the footage at the airport on BBC, we thought the cyclists looked rather silly. At least wait until you're about to step outside, or were there more cameras inside?
Hope they brought extras. We bet lots of people would buy them as Olympic souvenirs.
Related
US cyclists provoke Beijing smog row (The Telegraph)
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Yesterday I saw so many cyclists from all over the world riding on Beijing streets, the fast track especially reserved for Olympic, under the bright sunshine and blue sky. I didnt see ANY ONE of them wearing that masks. Not mentioning 17 millions Chinese whose lives are anyway nothing, 150,000 expats are living in Beijing without that masks.
Seems they come to Beijing for another gold, China bashing, the new Olympic sport, if they sure is not able to get any other, even a bronze.
But anyway, Nobody can stop others from looking beasty. Considering they even wore it on plane, I sincerely hope they will wear them in bed, to guarantee a perfect nightmare.
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I don't think the cyclists meant to "bash" anyone. They just want to do well at the games. More than 20 percent of US athletes reacted to the smog in Athens with breathing difficulties. In Los Angeles, British runner Steve Ovett collapsed with respiratory problems after the 800-meter race. Gebrselassie, the Ethiopian marathon running superstar, had to drop out of these 2008 Olympics due to his asthma. I think we can be reasonably sure that health is a legitimate concern. Put your anger and xenophobia to rest for this one okay? There'll be plenty of opportunities to bash the bashers in the very near future... guaranteed.
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If you win the race, people think you gained some kind of unfair advantage by wearing the masks. If you lose the race, you're a laughing stock for wearing the masks. Really, come on! What can they achieve by pulling a stunt like this?! Extra few millisecoonds? I am sure those precious milliseconds can be achieved by some other way, say perhaps harder training?
It can't be all that bad. I am going to Beijing in 2 weeks. Wish me have my lungs when I come back!
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If US athletes want to make themselves look like fools they have the right to do that of course. They even wore their masks on the plane? What a joke. And if they perform badly they'll probably blame it on the air as well. I can only laugh about this, and I hope everybody who meets these mask-wearing athletes will laugh at them as well - preferably in their face.
Is it China bashing? Not sure, they may be just a bit naive or looking for media exposure. But if they also wear these masks during the Opening Ceremony it certainly is.
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The NYT has been reporting on US athletes involved in indoor events being severely affected by allergies from the moment they stepped off of the plane. The Chinese public is too ignorant to understand what is happening to them but that is the fault of the CCPee for not wanting to teach them how badly they are being poisoned. Otherwise there would be a great anger.
Anyone with one brain cell would be wearing a mask and drinking nothing but filtered and chlorinated water in dirty, bad, ugly China.
eastman is a fag.
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People wearing masks in China. Imagine that.
Maybe we should reprimand all the deliverymen, ayis, and other blue collar folk who choose not to choke on China's smog each day for China bashing and deeply hurting the feelings of the Chinese people.
Oh wait, they're Chinese. That doesn't make sense.
Down with America!
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nanheyangrouchuan, with all his gamey brain cells, is still going strong, masked or not.
As pointed out by a Yahoo writer, this is a "cheap, disrespectful stunt". If this is what those cyclists want to do, all the power to them.
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Too bad all the clean air in the world can't save nanheyangrouchuan from inevitably going over the edge one day. Not even the internet can save him from that fate, LOL.
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Is that guy who just delivered a pizza to my house involved in some international conspiracy to shame the Chinese people?
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No. But I also doubt your pizza delivery guy was walking through an airport on his way to an air-conditioned bus.
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east: Dude.. I would be concerned of Beijing pollution if I was competing in an Olympic sports..
I was in Shanghai and Xian end of last year and I kid you not that after being out on the streets for a few hours, I can pick up a ton of black particles from my nostrils.. That $hit's dirty! Much dirtier than in the U.S.
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happen to use a similar mask in Shanghai I must say it's a life saver (though you can’t buy them in any well stocked cycle shops in China, funny that). If anyone posting here joined me north of Hong Qiao airport or on the way to Pudong airport a long spinning session you would understand. Hell even east man can join using that top of the range bike daddy bought him, but has been gathering cobwebs because he spends too much time whining on the internet.
I know they look pretty stupid but if I made a living out of the sport, was susceptible to illness due to intense training and had high capacity lungs which breathe in more poor quality air than your normal bod, I bloody well would be wearing one before my plane even touched the ground.
In addition where does the Chinese cycling team train? I can tell you it sure as hell ain’t any of China’s pollution sink holes (though Shanghai does produce some strong cyclist they can normally be found around century park).
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To nanheyangrouchuan
Do you know what these Ottoman-faced cyclists remind me of?
The actress-turned whores and you. lol!
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To West Man,
I just wonder why you, as "Westman", choosed to stay in a cheap filthy commie yellow China instead of delousing in NY central park where nobody give you a second glance.
I guess you must feel quite piissedoff in Shanghai where nobody give you even a first glance as you expected, with or without a visa, lol!
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Sweet heart this is an English comments page as I can't understand what you are saying in the last paragraph I will ignore your question. Address me in correct English and I will answer your question.
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Chinese saying goes: Pretending to be asleep, when screwed, not mentioning having found your G, lol!
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As I said before English not tosser language.
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"In addition where does the Chinese cycling team train? I can tell you it sure as hell ain’t any of China’s pollution sink holes (though Shanghai does produce some strong cyclist they can normally be found around century park"
The Chinese road, mtb and distance running teams have been training at the University of Colorado Boulder campus.
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Actualy Eastman is just ignorant. Thats a step up from well informed but using gender preference biased epithets...both in the TROLL range of behavior .
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you mean that the Chinese team train in a different country altogether, the China sports board better tell them to don masks and eye protection otherwise they will choke on the sweet air of freedom or be blinded by the light of truth. All together now ....God bless America land that I love..... and so and so.
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To west man
"sweet air of freedom"?
What a Hollywood cliche! I guess Patriot Act will allow cops to bug your phone only because they found your pink underwear is made in red China, lol!
Been there and known McCarthy and nothing new. Your big brother is bigger than ours.
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To yu888,
--me using "gender preference biased epithets"?
Yes, When I was dating someone you can never imagine who, you were still liquid, boy, lol!
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i think these masks could be quite fashionable.
Don't you think they should have painted expressions on them to be less conspicious? I personally think michael friedman can re-use his mask for his Abe Lincoln costume during Halloween.
Look, if it's good for Michael Jackson, it's good for all of us----no?
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Using gender based epithets is the closest eastman is going to get to a girl.
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who said I was from America East Man? If you neither recognise humour or sarcasm you have little hope in combating a strong argument. Also broaden your reading a little from party B.S.
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to nanheyangrouchuan,
When I touched a girl, the woman you called as mom was still a virgin, lol!
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To West Man,
Who said I was from China. You must be quite idiotic taking anybody as Chinese who is not in your China bashing bandwagon.
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Sorry didn't understand your gibberish again.
Though I would like to say I went for that bike ride this morning training for the Thousand Island Lake race, funny didn't see you there to lecture me about the beautiful Shanghai air. Too busy playing with your balls I expect.
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To West Man
Oh, living in China for pleasure, I can never imagine a beggar riding a bike. I presume Pizzahut had no pizza-to-go, right?
I advise you idiot use your limited time efficiently for a renewed visa, expiring of which means you'll be shipped back to NY central park screwed by john lennon each night, lol!
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"When I touched a girl, the woman you called as mom was still a virgin, lol!"
@eastman
I remember my mom telling me about how she beat up a Chinese girl when she was in school. I guess she was wrong about the gender part.
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To nanheyangrouchuan
Oh you still remember you ugly mom whom I never dare to look at, without sunglasses. I guess you also remember how she gentlly wiped your big mouth, with a used diaper, lol!
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@ eastman
I want to use that joke, how much?
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Pizza hut????
Visa????
John Lennon???
Beggar???
Not sure what you are talking about, but it may make perfect sense in your head. As a result Im using this quote all day.
'It took you 6 lines only to show you absolutly dont know what to say.'
I win again East Man LOL!!!
two nill to the westerners two nill to the westerners.
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I can't resist.
To the tune of Beijing Huanying ni.
Beijing Huanying ni to use East Man's mom