On August 5, 2008, Sarah Hammer and Michael (meatball) Friedman arrived at Beijing Airport ready to compete for the USA 2008 summer Olympic games wearing face masks to protect them from air pollution. Why?Do masks even protect you from air pollution? Is air pollution that dangerous? Today we’re investigating whether Hammer and Meatball were right to wear masks - and what you can do if you’re faced with a similar situation.Listen in to find out the effect of air pollution on your cycling performance; including, what air pollution is, and how it is measured. Also, why athletes are at a greater risk, do masks help protect athletes, and what else you can do to avoid air pollution suffocating your performance.

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