USOC Admits Mistake to Cyclists

The four track cyclists involved in an international snafu when they walked off their plane in Beijing for the Aug. 8-24 Summer Olympics wearing face masks received letters of apology from the U.S. Olympic Committee but complained during a conference call Monday that misconduct by the USOC staff had not been fully addressed.

The cyclists, Mike Friedman, Sarah Hammer, Bobby Lea and Jennie Reed, claim they were belittled and harassed by USOC staff after they were photographed wearing USOC-issued face masks. They said they were coerced by USOC Director of Sports Performance Steve Roush into giving an apology and did so because they feared being sent home from the Games.

The athletes said Monday, however, that they had been advised by the USOC's chief physiologist Randy Wilbur to wear the masks and did so solely to protect their health. They said they assumed other athletes would be wearing them, also, and did not intend to offend their Chinese hosts.

They said Roush refused to allow them to explain their decision to wear the masks and USOC's Director of Sports Partnerships Kelly Skinner made fun of their behavior to other athletes. Several also said during the call that Roush called them a "disgrace" and that both he and Skinner should be disciplined.

"None of us deserved this," Reed said. "We were just doing what we were told to do."
Said Lea: "Their conduct in this case was deplorable. I think they should be held accountable for their actions... This was a terrible situation for any Olympian to be in."

Added Hammer: "We didn't see it coming... I wouldn't even have known about the mask if they wouldn't have given it to me."

In the letter that was emailed Sunday, USOC Chief Executive Jim Scherr admitted that the organization erred in not providing the athletes with access to the USOC's athletes ombudsman John Ruger. The letter did not address specific complaints made Monday by the athletes.

"The USOC extends its apologies for this mistake and, going forward, commits that it will make every effort to ensure the Athlete Ombudsman is aware of and has the opportunity to be present in sensitive meetings with athletes," Scherr said in the letter, also writing, "it is my view that this entire unfortunate episode was an isolated incident and is best put behind us all."

The USOC sent the letter after more than a week of discussion with the athletes and their attorney, Chris Campbell.

Mark Henderson, the chair of the USOC's Athletes' Advisory Council, said on the call the AAC had put forward a written draft policy to ensure that the ombudsman would be in the Olympic Village during future Olympic Games.

"I'm very disappointed in how the athletes were treated," he said.

The USOC declined to address the matter further when informed of the athletes's remarks Monday..

"During his call with the athletes last week, Jim indicated he would address this matter internally, and he has done so," USOC Chief Communications Officer Darryl Seibel said in an e-mail. "In our view, this matter is closed and behind us."