The first of many US athletes to arrive in Beijing surfaced in China this weekend donning masks over their faces in the airport. Michael Friedman (pictured), member of the US Cyclist team, didn’t want to take any chances on arriving in Beijing on a day where it could have looked like you were walking through a cigar smokers plume of smoke the entire day.

“You got to take every chance you have just to protect the airways,” Michael Friedman said. “It’s really just taking every precaution necessary. Who knows how bad it’s going to be in a few days so if you can resist any air pollution, any contaminants, then you know it’s better performance hopefully.”

He’s right. It’s like eating a ton of carbs before you go out on a night of binge drinking. That simple precautionary act can up your machismo about three or four notches because you’ll be able to down a few more beers than your friends. Friedman’s mask will assure him his lungs won’t collapse days before competition. A few more pictures of US athetes arriving with masks.

Four Eyes And One Mask

The Mask Will Even Match Your Navy Blue Warm-ups

Um, The Mask Covers Your Mouth, Dude.

Question: is it disrespectful to show up at the Beijing airport wearing masks?

US CYCLISTS ARRIVE IN BEIJING WITH AIR MASKS [NY Post]
Images [Reuters, AP]