Sportspeople and athletes are particularly at risk from air pollution, despite their healthy lifestyles. People breathe more frequently when they are active, and draw the air deeper into the lungs. They therefore take in more pollution and bring it into the areas where it can do most damage. People also tend to breathe through the mouth when taking exercise, so pollutants escape the natural filters in the nose. They often exercise near main roads during, or soon after, peak traffic hours when pollution is greatest. And they also tend to go out on hot, sunny days when pollution from ozone is at its highest.

More than 80 current and former Canadian national team and Olympic athletes have signed up as Clean Air Champions, to speak out against air pollution. All depend on their health and their lungs for their performance; some suffer from asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses.

The Champions act as role models and spokespeople, particularly to the young. They make public service announcements on radio and television, give media interviews, and speak at schools and corporate events. Their mission is to improve the quality of the air by motivating and educating Canadians to adopt practices and lifestyles that enhance both environmental and personal health.