BEIJING - Four U.S. track cyclists, seemingly coached by U.S. Olympic Committee officials, backpedaled Wednesday after they arrived the day before at the Beijing airport wearing USOC-issued masks to protect themselves from air pollution.

Photos of the four wearing masks over their mouths and noses were immediately posted on Internet sites while USOC officials, worried that the incident might offend the host city, reacted swiftly.

Cyclist Mike Friedman told the New York Times he and teammates Sarah Hammer, Bobby Lea and Jennie Reed meant no disrespect.

``This is really a surprise, because I didn't think it was going to be such a big deal,'' Friedman said. ``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?''

Friedman and Lea said a USOC official whose name they could not remember scolded the athletes for their choice, adding, ``They told us that 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.' ''

At a scheduled press conference Wednesday afternoon, USOC chief executive officer Jim Scherr said the athletes approached U.S. officials, asking to write an apology.

Peter Ueberroth, chairman of the USOC, said athletes are not forbidden from wearing the masks, but explained, ``You never want to go to

Advertisement
someone else's place and cause embarrassment, which I think they did.''

The USOC later released a statement from the four cyclists, offering ``our sincere apologies to BOCOG, the city of Beijing, and the people of China if our actions were in any way offensive. That was not our intent.''

Cheek denied

Olympic gold-medal winning speed skater Joey Cheek's attempt to get to China ended in a wave of controversy when Chinese authorities revoked his visa. Cheek, the co-founder of Team Darfur, an organization intended to raise awareness of the genocide in the region, planned to spend two weeks in China but things changed when officials denied him entrance to the country.

The USOC's Scherr labeled Cheek a ``great Olympic champion,'' but said the USOC's hands were tied.

``It is unfortunate he will not have that opportunity,'' Scherr said. ``But it's between this (Chinese) government and Joey as a private citizen.''

Former synchronized swimmer Kendra Zanotto, another member of Team Darfur, was also denied her visa last month. Zanotto, a Los Gatos native and bronze medalist from the 2004 Olympics, was supposed to work for the Olympic News Service when her application was denied.

Helping hand

It's been three months since a massive 7.9 earthquake rocked the province of Sichuan, killing at least 70,000 people. In the time since, the USOC has made a concerted push to aid in the relief effort. Ueberroth said the USOC purchased 1,000 tents for quake victims, each one capable of housing approximately 16 people.

``We did something we're quietly proud of,'' Ueberroth said. ``This is just one gesture and there will be many gestures with these two countries over time.''

Phelps impressed

Three-time Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, confirming he will not attend Friday night's opening ceremonies on the eve of his debut in the pool, gave high marks to Beijing for its preparation.

``The facilities are the best I've ever competed in, Olympic-wise,'' he said. ``It's the nicest dorms . . . the village is cool. It's the nicest one I've ever been a part of.''