USOC head won’t predict medals total

Scherr says U.S. has chance for an 'equal or better' performance than 2002

updated 5:46 a.m. ET Feb. 11, 2006

TURIN, Italy - The head of the U.S. Olympic Committee wouldn’t predict how many medals the Americans would win in Turin, although Jim Scherr said Thursday there is a chance for an “equal or better” performance than in Salt Lake City.

Four years ago, the Americans won 34 medals, a record for the United States, although Germany won 38.

“I don’t know if I would say in terms of a prediction that it’s realistic or not” if 34 could be won again this year, Scherr said.

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“I do know that this team performed better in the world championships and major international competitions in the year leading up to these games than they did in the year leading up to Salt Lake City,” he said. “So I think the opportunity for a performance equal or better than Salt Lake certainly exists.”

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Scherr called the U.S. athletes “the most accomplished team and perhaps the strongest team that we’ve placed on the field of play in an Olympic winter games.”

He cautioned, however, that Turin presents a “much different” environment than Salt Lake City.

“In Salt Lake City, we had a wonderful opportunity to perform on home soil, with friendly crowds and a very friendly environment, and the same time zone that most of the athletes either lived or trained in, or very similar time zone. You’re eating home-cooked meals and in front of friends and family,” he said.

He added that the training time and familiarity with the venues also helped.

Slide show
U.S. Olympic hopefuls
A look at athletes who have the best shot at gold in Turin.