Should I run behind a bus and breathe in the exhaust?

As the lead exercise physiologist for the United States Olympic Committee, Randy Wilber has been fielding one bizarre question after another from American athletes training for the Beijing Games- looking for any possible competitive advantage.

Pollution levels on a typical day in Beijing, some researchers say, are nearly five times above World Health Organization standards for safety. The marathon world-record holder Haile Gebrselassie, who has allergies, and the world's No. 1 women's tennis player, Justine Henin, who has asthma, have expressed reservations about competing in the Olympics for fear that pollution will exacerbate their breathing problems.

Interestingly detailed article about all the risks & considerations for dealing with the acutely dangerous air quality. Including lifting bans on certain asthma- related drugs. Begs the question-- when breathing is of the utmost importance-- why the hell are we in Beijing?? We will likely see some athletes wearing protective masks DURING events (And not just during the 100m fiberglass insulation relay). OMG.