美国国家奥委会昨天公布了四名美国自行车选手(Michael Friedman, Sarah Hammer, Bobby Lea and Jennie Reed)的声明，为他们在8月6日抵达北京机场时戴口罩表示遗憾。声明译文及原文如下：

我们周二抵达，如果我们的行为是某种冒犯的话，我们向北京奥组委、北京市和中国人民表达真挚的歉意。那不是我们的本意。

我们抵达北京的时候戴保护性的口罩完全是我们作为运动员采取的预防性措施，而不是在任何意义上的环境或者政治宣示。我们对我们的选择非常遗憾。我们的决定并非要冒犯北京奥组委或者是无数其他为改善北京空气质量作出巨大努力的人们的侮辱。

我们为成为美国奥林匹克队的一员感到极为光荣，并为有机会在赛场内外代表美利坚合众国感到荣幸。在为下周比赛做准备的同时，我们期待能够把这次事件置于身后。

The wearing of protective masks upon our arrival into Beijing was strictly a precautionary measure we as athletes chose to take, and was in no way meant to serve as an environmental or political statement. We deeply regret the nature of our choices. Our decision was not intended to insult BOCOG or countless others who have put forth a tremendous amount of effort to improve the air quality in Beijing.

We are extremely honored to be a part of the U.S. Olympic Team and feel privileged to represent the United States abroad both on and off the field of play. We look forward to putting this incident behind us while we prepare for our competition next week."

U.S. Cyclists Michael Friedman, Sarah Hammer, Bobby Lea and Jennie Reed
USOC - August 6, 2008
BEIJING, China - Statement from U.S. Olympic Team athletes Michael Friedman, Sarah Hammer, Bobby Lea and Jennie Reed regarding their decision to wear protective masks during Tuesday's arrival at Beijing's Capital International Airport:

"Following our arrival on Tuesday, we offer our sincere apologies to BOCOG, the city of Beijing, and the people of China if our actions were in any way offensive. That was not our intent.

The wearing of protective masks upon our arrival into Beijing was strictly a precautionary measure we as athletes chose to take, and was in no way meant to serve as an environmental or political statement. We deeply regret the nature of our choices. Our decision was not intended to insult BOCOG or countless others who have put forth a tremendous amount of effort to improve the air quality in Beijing.

We are extremely honored to be a part of the U.S. Olympic Team and feel privileged to represent the United States abroad both on and off the field of play. We look forward to putting this incident behind us while we prepare for our competition next week."