U.S. team wears face masks

By Doug Hamilton

BEIJING (Reuters) - Some members of the U.S. cycling squad arrived for the Olympic Games on Tuesday wearing black respiratory masks, apparently concerned over reports of unhealthy levels of air pollution in Beijing.

About half a dozen members of the team, male and female, were pictured wearing close-fitting face masks covering nose and mouth. One was identified as Mike Friedman, a track cyclist who competes indoors.

"I suspect it was their choice, you would have to talk to them as to what prompted them to do this," said Darryl Seibel, chief communications officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

"I will say this: I am not a scientist, but in my view that was unnecessary," he added.

A cycling official tried to play down the incident.

"I don't believe there was any statement trying to be made," said Andrea Smith, spokeswoman for USA cycling.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said athletes have the right to express their opinions, but should not do so in the athletes' village or the sports venues.

Beijing's pollution has been a cause for concern for athletes heading for the Games, which begin on Friday. The IOC has said there was no reason for alarm.

"I am confident that the air quality will not pose major problems to athletes and visitors here," IOC Medical Commission chief Arne Ljungqvist said earlier on Tuesday.

He said data was being assessed on an hourly basis around the clock. "We will evaluate those and should problems arise we may take some action," he said.

Rapid economic growth in China has increased pollution and brought a deterioration of air quality. Beijing has taken radical measures to improve the atmosphere for the Games, restricting car use and temporarily closing some factories in the capital.

The IOC has said it would reschedule events that last more than an hour, if air quality was bad on the day.

Ljungqvist said Games organizers, Beijing authorities and the IOC had used strict World Health Organisation standards and Beijing was meeting those.

He said the health risks from the air quality in Beijing were only a potential concern for residents and long-term visitors rather than for people attending the Games.

Hot and humid conditions coupled with a haze that covered Beijing on Monday were sometimes mistaken for pollution.