(BEIJING, June 5) -- A media representative of the US Olympic Committee revealed recently in Washington that roughly 630 athletes representing America will be competing in various events in the Beijing Olympics.

    According to Xinhua, the number of people from the American delegation may reach around 2,000, when coaches, officials, and assistants are also counted.

    As the Olympics approach, the Americans are upping their search for the best representatives to send to Beijing, with Olympic qualification tournaments increasing in number and intensity.

    The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has designated Judge Charles Carter Lee as Chef de Mission for the US Olympic Team for the Beijing Games. Lee has a strong understanding of the Olympics and China, characterized by many experiences with the Chinese since 1979.

    In addition, Lee served as Special Envoy to China for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. After the former USSR declared its boycott of those Games, Lee led a team to China for discussions. In the end, China agreed to be part of the LA Games. "I look forward to renewing old friendships and making new ones," he said.

    Americans have qualified to compete in 27 of the 28 events in the Beijing Olympics. The only event that will see no American athletes, male or female, fighting for medals is handball. This is the third consecutive Olympics for which handball athletes from America have failed to qualify.

    According to a press conference hosted by the USOC, all athletes, coaches, and officials attending the Beijing Games will meet up at San Jose University for two days to receive uniforms and training before heading towards Beijing.