An official from the US Olympic Committee has expressed concern and sympathy for the victims of the recent earthquake in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, as the Chinese government and people struggle to overcome this tragedy.

Darryl Seibel, Chief Communication Officer, USOC, said, "Our concern is for our friends and colleagues in China and people in China who have lost so much so suddenly. That's our most immediate concern. And our thoughts really are, in this very difficult hour, with our friends and colleagues in China as they really began to understand the full magnitude of this tragedy and ultimately began to move forward from it."

The US Olympic Committee official also praised the outstanding preparation work for the upcoming Beijing Olympics by the Chinese government and its people. He says the US is still in the process of Olympic trials and that half of the events have been completed. The USOC official also says the US athletes are training hard to be qualified for the US team and are looking forward to the big event in Beijing.

(CCTV May 16, 2008)