US Chef de Mission to the Beijing Paralympic Games, Jeff Underwood, says US athletes are keen to improve on their last Paralympic games performance in Athens when they ranked fifth on the medal table.

US Chef de Mission to the Beijing Paralympic Games Jeff Underwood (R) and the Paralympic Village head Chen Zhili exchange souvenirs at the US flag raising ceremony on Friday evening, September 5, 2008. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

"We want to improve on our performance four years ago. We don't have a specific goal in terms of medals we want to win, but we were fifth in the total medal counts four years ago and we want to do better than that."

After the flag-raising ceremony at the Paralympic Village on Friday evening Underwood told China Radio International that his athletes are expecting to do well in swimming, wheelchair basketball, rugby and athletics.

"We think we have really strong swimming team, we have strong basketball teams of men and women, the rugby team is expected to do well and we have lots of athletes whose track programs are good."

Underwood says that the emphasis placed on psychological assistance for athletes and the adoption of advanced technologies to their training has greatly improved the quality of US Paralympic athlete's performances.

More than 200 US athletes will compete at the Beijing Games, including 16 retired veterans, two of whom received war-related injuries in Iraq. Underwood says it's involvement with sport that has helped put these veterans lives back on track.

"It's exciting to see them be able to use sports as part of their rehabilitation and we can have them getting back to an active life style."

Underwood says that besides showcasing outstanding performances of the participants, he also hopes the Olympic and Paralympic movements can contribute to a peaceful world and bridge the gap between people from different parts of the globe.

"I think what's most important is that sport is a bridge for people from around the world to come together. It brings people together in a positive way and gives a chance to talk with each other and get to know each other. That will last much longer than whether a person wins a medal now."

The head of the US delegation has been in Beijing for five days now and has been impressed with the city's preparations for the Games and facilities for disabled people.

"We knew from the time we got to the airport that accessibility for people with disabilities is fabulous, particularly in the newer facilities around the Olympic Village and competition venues. All the athletes, whether they were blind or wheelchair users, their commendations are very good and they are very pleased with that."

The official also praised efforts to improve the city's air quality and provide delicious food, adding one of his main tasks now is to make sure his athletes don't eat too much.

(CRI September 6, 2008)