Some Members Of US Cycling Team Will Wear Surgical-Style Masks In Beijing Meets

[hatrack]

Cyclist Bobby Lea of Topton is looking forward to competing in the Beijing Olympics in three weeks, but not to breathing in the city's heavy smog. ''I think it's going to be a concern for everyone,'' said Lea, who along with fellow Olympian Giddeon Massie of Quakertown competed last December in a World Cup at the Beijing velodrome that served as a test event for the arena.

''It was so bad there that I had a sore throat within a half hour of being on the ground, by the time I was checking into the hotel,'' the 24-year-old Lea said Monday after an Olympic send-off at the White House with President Bush. The smog level in one of the world's most polluted cities is such a concern that U.S. athletes have spoken publicly about wearing surgical-style masks, developed by the U.S. Olympic Committee, to protect their lungs.

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U.S. athletes will have a specially designed respiratory mask in their Olympic team kits to combat the pollution. Lea and other cyclists tested one version last December during the World Cup. Lea said the mask he wore contained a carbon filter and had a duckbill-like profile.

''They went over our noses all the way up to our eyes and wrapped halfway around our ears and under our chins,'' he explained. ''I got used to it pretty quickly back in December. I noticed it was a little annoying the first day, but it just felt so much better to breathe, not feeling that burning sensation in your throat.'' Massie, 26, a sprint cyclist on the track, also felt the effects in Beijing last December. He said his lungs burned after he trained and competed in the World Cup. He's concerned about the effect the smog might have on his performance at the Olympics. ''Obviously would not be to the degree or extent where it would be for endurance riders,'' he said. ''Our stuff is pretty short, but even for the endurance guys on the track, I can imagine it will take its toll.''

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http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a_1smog-july22,0,4096585.story

[Bobbieo]

1. As an asthmatic, I can't think of a worse place to hold the Olympics!!!