That appalling rip job the U.S. Olympic Committee did on four of its own cyclists on Wednesday was something fitting for a totalitarian state. Like, say, the one I’m sitting in right now.

Instant discipline, and then a forced apology. I wonder if any of the four cyclists — which includes Sarah Hammer, a Temecula native who now lives in Blue Jay — even saw this thing before it was publicized. Or had anything to do with it.

These were the four cyclists who got off the plane and were wearing protective masks. I mean, how rude was that?

Anyway, here is their USOC-released mea culpa:

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.”

Ack. Not even the pretense of a “show trial.”

And “Gang of Four” is no accident. I’m no expert on Chinese history, but there was a more famous Gang of Four here accused of crimes against the state. That would be the widow of Mao Zedong and three of her associates, charged with being culpable with the excesses of the Mao Era — since The Great Helmsman couldn’t possibly have been responsible for all the ugliness surrounding the Cultural Revolution.

It was the people around him. (See the wikipedia entry here.)

Maybe forcing confessions is in the water here.

Anyway, I hope those four American cyclists have learned their lesson. If the Chinese government might be offended, your health is of no significance.