Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The American diving team would not repeat their failure in Athens this time and eyes medals in Water Cube, said the team leader during their training here on Friday.

    Arriving in Beijing Thursday afternoon, the American team couldn't wait to train in the Water Cube. They started training at 11:40 and left at 12:00.

    "Obviously China will win most of the medals," said Bob Rydee, team leader of the American team. "I think other four or five countries will have opportunities of the other medals."

    Talking about the expectations of the American team, Rydee said: "I don't know, but we will work our best. Our aim is to win medals."

    The American diving team didn't win even a bronze in 2004 Athens Olympics, and encountered the biggest failure since 1992 Bacelona Olympics.

    Rydee had said on July that the failure would not happen again in Beijing: "After four years' training and adjustment, we will at least win a medal in Beijing. Now we have some veterans in our team, as well as some very young divers. It's a strong team."

    Sydney Olympic champion Laura Wilkinson, 30, will lead the team in Water Cube this time. "Laura is good," said Rydee after today's training. "She is very competitive."

    Some teams went to a training camp in Xi'an for relax, like Germany and Britain, but Rydee said the American team will stay in Beijing: "We will stay here. We will take a day off to visit the Great Wall and go shopping."

    The team leader expressed their impression towards the Water Cube. "It's amazing. We have been the Water Cube on February's World Cup, but now there are lots of changes. It's even better. We like here."