Whats up with the American cyclists and masks in Beijing?

Question

Where they really that clueless to think that walking into a country wearing masks like that, wasn't going to p**s people of? Maybe its just me but, come on people, if you really think beijing is that polluted and your that antipollution why take part of the olympics. You might not agree that its taking place in beijing but, tough s***s man. Don't be part of what you don't agree with, don't travel all the way over there insult the people, and later saying, oops! We didn't mean it that way.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I understand that many Chinese people would be offended.  However, the objective of the individual athletes is to WIN.  They want to win gold medals, and they are not particularly interested in being cheerleaders for China.

Let's face it, Beijing is polluted--much more so than American cities--including Los Angeles.

Answer 2

to protect themselves from the pollution and disease in beijing of cos. i dont think it's an insult... but now they were apologising.... u think they were forced to? i think yeah, somebody must have pointed a gun at them and told them to be good in beijing.

well i wont be surprised to see someone faint because of the air during any outdoor events. the whole world will be seeing and suddenly go into commercial break. the next thing u'll see is the official olympic cheer and everyone's in happy mood again.

Answer 3

If they aren't healthy they can't compete. Period.

Have you ever flown from the US to China? Well, I have, several times. That flight is LONG and the air in the cabin is recycled and germ-ridden and bone dry, and the smell is not esp pleasant. . .by the end of the flight you just want to get the heck off the plane.

So if some people still had on their masks after being in the plane so what.

And as far as Beijing itself, it does have some nice days, I have been a witness to that. But for the most part. . .I just tell people in the US, you CANNOT imagine what the pollution and air quality are like there. It is something out of a dream, a nightmare! NOWHERE in America is the air that bad or even CLOSE to being that bad. Maybe Toledo or Chicago. . .circa 1895?? And for Chinese people, I guess you can't imagine the air actually being GOOD. Well, you can if you go to a mountaintop in China or notice the difference on a rare good day in Beijing. I honestly think a lot of Chinese people do not notice pollution, they think it is necessary evil of being **civilized**. Well, IT ISN'T!

And these cyclists are competing w elevated heart rate, inhaling and exhaling much more deeply and quickly than just your Joe Schmoe who is walking down the street. They DO need to be protected. And if you think that is RUDE then bite me.

Did we say, Why didn't you guys clean this place up for us? Isn't it rude of China to subject us to this? Talk about being rude.

In reality, I know China did its best, but this guy really gets me.

Answer 4

Yeah, but they have done it, what can we do??  Now they apologized, just like Rosie O'donnell's "ching chong" case, she said she didn't know it was an offend and apologized.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing...

In the above link, it says, there're about 200 US athletes received those masks.

P.S. to Not_True

You are so so so "true", they wore masks in the airport terminal, lol..., funny.  What a way to catch attentions!

Edit 1:

Well, it is not illegal to wear mask in China, as they said they concerned about the air quality and would like to protect themselves, why can't we just accept it?

http://www.fourwinds10.com/siterun_data/...

To Tamahome,

Let's forget about "manner".

Answer 5

They're pretty stupid and rude, If they care about their health so much, they could choose NOT to come to Beijing, now that they come, they need to know what manner is, they offended Chinese, and finally had to take off their masks and apologized, none of their purpose is achieved.

Just plain stupid.

Answer 6

Um...the Olympic committee or whoever asked that the masks be worn because of the sucky air quality in Beijing at the moment.  Sure it might have made some mad, but I would rather tick someone off and try to breathe normal air then to worry about what they think & get sick.

Answer 7

I totally agree. If they worried, they can stay where they belong. No one invited them. If China was given right to host Oylmpic, it must meet the requirements of IOC standard. You can't blame the IOC doesn't care all atheletics' health from all over the world. I'm glad these cyclists apologized. Peace.  

Answer 8

very good masks, something like underpants  

Answer 9

Have you ever been to Beijing, or to any densely populated city in the Far East?

Many of the residents of these cities wear masks everyday because of the pollution.  

Answer 10

they just have low imune system, and probably gonna suck racing this year, probably.

Answer 11

I wasn't there so I can't judge, however the link and the video as found on yahoo only shows 2 out of maybe 15-20 people shown in the clip. I could make references about about not showing the whole picture and just focusing on just one part of it.

To be honest face masks will only cut down a little of the pollution what you really need is a gas mask but breathing in those things is quite hard.

But at the end of the day Beijing air can bad, but it also has very clear beautiful days as well, just like other cities. Sure the government has gone to a great length to improve it for the games, but what will happen after the games.... The factories will reopen the cars will be allow back on the streets. The games is a perfect time to collect data and evaluate the governments view on pollution

To be honest think they there not making a political choice but a choice for there own health. Now not turning up because your anti pollution is political.

Answer 12

I think they were "stupid".

Wearing mask outside is different from wearing mask INSIDE the FREAKING terminal.

Then again, they looked at like freaks anyway.  If they win, I hope they take a picture with the mask so we don't even care about seeing their faces.

Answer 13

I am guessing he had no idea about the results of his wearing a mask. The press is going to make a big deal out of anything Olympians do in Beijing.

I think he did not realize that the Chinese would be insulted.

Many people in Asia wear masks, but  not because of smog it is because they don't want to catch an illness from the crowds.

If he was trying to make a statement he would say so instead of saying he made a mistake.