According to this BBC article, 35-40% of the British Olympic cycling team has asthma, as compared to 9% of the general population. Does anyone actually buy that "breathing a larger volume of air" is the cause of this? So these individuals, who are genetically gifted in just about every way you could think of, somehow all have the same predisposition for asthma? What a crock. TUEs are just another way the institution sweeps artificial performance enhancement under the rug.
How 'bout if you have asthma maybe you shouldn't be a professional cyclist unless you agree that by using your inhaler in an emergency you immediately withdraw from the competition?
http://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/42335916
(RELEVANT SECTION)
Why do so many elite athletes have asthma?
Analysis - Philippa Roxby, BBC health reporter
Top athletes are more likely to have asthma than the general population.
This is down to the large volumes of air they breathe in through their mouths when exercising at high intensity over long periods of time.
When the air is cold and dry, this can trigger asthma-related symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest, also known as exercise-induced asthma. Cyclists are particularly at risk because of the high aerobic element of the sport. Air pollution getting into the airways out on the road can also be a trigger.
Research suggests that around 35-40% of British Olympic cyclists use an inhaler, compared with 21% of the Olympic team as a whole and 9% of the general population.
If asthma is already diagnosed in elite athletes, then intensive exercise can make it worse - but if it is properly treated, the condition should not prove a disadvantage.