U.S.Olympians Shrug Off Smog Concerns

July 18, 2008 -- U.S. Olympians take a matter-of-fact approach about pollution fears at the Beijing Olympics, basically seeing any possible breathing problems as an equal headache for everyone involved.

"As long as all eight lanes have to breathe it, that's O.K. with me," said U.S. sprinter Lauryn Williams. "One month in it is not going to kill us at all. Whoever gets to the finish line first will be the winner."

Air quality concerns have prompted some distance runners to avoid longer events and the International Olympic Committee has warned that some events might be moved if pollution issues dictate.

Organizers have countered by saying factories will shut down to ease the smog load in the air around Beijing and that some of the auto traffic in the city will be curtailed for the duration of the Olympics.

"Two teams have the same air to breathe," said U.S. women's soccer coach Pia Sundhage of Sweden. "It is a problem. It might be a hard thing for the second or third game. We have to deal with it."

Three-time BMX world champion Kyle Bennett has felt the impact of Beijing pollution during competition but has confidence in plans to combat air woes.

"It affected me a little bit. Toward the end of the week I could feel it. It was hurting me to take a deep breath," Bennett said. "But they say they will shut down the factories before the Olympics so it will be all right."

U.S. women's soccer captain Kate Markgraf will make her seventh China trip for the Olympics and has so far not felt breathing troubles, although she has yet to experience Beijing.

"Never have I felt my performance or our team's performance has been influenced by pollution," she said. "We're going to take care of the things we can control."

Some masks and oxygen might be used to bring some measure of control and asthma tests before the Games might uncover some problems before people arrive in Beijing.

"I'm going to breathe the same air everybody else is. We're all going to breathe the same," U.S. modern pentathlete Eli Bremer said.