The United States will send 596 athletes, including 310 men and 286 women, to the Beijing Olympic Games, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced on Tuesday, July 23.
"The United States will send a strong team of 596 athletes who will represent our country with pride and honor," said USOC Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr. "America's athletes recognize just how challenging the competitive environment will be, and they are preparing with this in mind. We are confident they will rise to the competitive challenges in Beijing."
The US Team will make participate in Cycling BMX, Swimming Marathon 10km and Women's Steeplechase, the Olympic disciplines making their debut in Beijing. Men's Hockey and Handball are the only team events for which US has not qualified.
Dara Torres, a 41-year-old swimmer, will compete in the Olympics for the fifth time. She has won nine Olympic medals (four gold, one silver and four bronze) in Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Sydney 2000.
Michael Phelps will be one of the team's most high-profile athletes. He is aiming to win eight gold medals in Swimming.
John Dane III, the oldest athlete in the roster at 58, will take part in the Olympics for the first time. Divers Mary Beth Dunnichay and Haley Ishimatsu, aged 15, are the team's youngest athletes.
"The 2008 Olympic Games will be one of the most significant events of our generation, not only athletically, but culturally, socially, economically and environmentally," said USOC Chairman Peter Ueberroth. "The US Team is ready to compete in a manner that makes this country proud."
The USOC also stated that the roster could be changed in the event of injury or illness.
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