Women's Beach Volleyball
Holly McPeak
On conditions at the venue:
"The only difference here is playing at night under the lights, and that's a small difference. The venue is great, and the sand is great. Our preparations have been the same, except that we're making sure we hydrate."

On the competition schedule that has a single match a day and a day of rest between:
"It will be different for us, because we're used to the tour, where we play three or four matches in a day, but it will help us with our rehydration. It also allows us to give our all in the match, because we'll be able to rest afterward. That allows us to give our all in each match, which should make the competition more exciting."

On the use of rally scoring in the Olympics for the first time: "I grew up on the beach and played side-out scoring all my life, but rally scoring is better for our sport. There is pressure on every play. You can't make a mistake, but that also means your opponent can't make a mistake. It makes the matches more exciting to watch."

Elaine Youngs
On the attention given to the women's Beach Volleyball competition:
"We haven't really had time to think about that. We've been practicing. For me personally it has been good, because you do not have the nerves. We're not going to march in the opening ceremony because we have a game the next day. But when we watch it on television, that is when it will start to hit us."

Women's Gymnastics
Mohini Bhardwaj
On being selected as team captain:
"I feel honored to be selected team captain of such an amazing team, that these women feel that I have enough experience to lead the way."

On whether her teammates look to her and Annia Hatch for maturity:
"I think this entire team is very mature and has it together. Annia and I are able to reinforce that and get that out of them when it's important. We also bring a lot of experience to the table as well. We can keep our nerves calm, and that helps keep everyone else calm too."

On whether the team is coming in below the radar despite being defending world champions:
"I don't think it really matters what position we're in. Maybe people here think we're coming in as underdogs. That's fine. The fact that we're reigning world champions, that's great too. This is a different team, and we're more confident that we can perform as well as we possibly can. It doesn't matter where we are ranked as we come into the competition if we're able to prove ourselves."

Women's Water Polo
Guy Baker - Head Coach'
On the keys for a medal in the Olympic Games:
"On defense we are doing fine, but I think that our offensive play will make the difference. If we score too many goals, nobody can match us."

On the USA's preliminary round schedule:
"No game is easy in our group. We are going to have difficult match-ups against Hungrary, Canada and Russia. All these teams have great history with many trophies and medals in major tournaments. We are focusing on each game at a time."

On the match up against Hungary:
"Hungary is very good team. They have good size, and they shoot the ball well. I am sure it is going to be a very tight game, although we match up well with them."

On the security measures in Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games:
"There is tremendus security in Athens. We have not seen anything strange until now. We athletes and coaches came here to play, so all the others don't count for us."

On the team he would prefer to play in the finals:
"The important thing is to go to the finals. I don't care which team it would be in the final game."

On the Greek team:
"It is a very good team. They have impoved a lot. They play at home, so it will not be easy to beat them."

Kelly Rulon
On her debut in Olympic Games:
"I am crazy about it. It would be the best possible if I also take a medal. It is really exciting. In the Olympic Tournament you have to make each day a masterpiece."

Softball
Stacey Nuveman
On her impressions of Athens:
"Athens is nicer than we thought. Back home the reports said that the venues were unfinished, but everything here is smooth, the Greeks have been true to their word that everything would be ready in time. We've been here for two weeks and we've gotten used to the weather, we feel right at home."

On the differences between their two previous Olympic teams and their current team for Athens:
"The balance is better, there is a lot more speed now. Pitching is still dominant, the experience level is a mix. Half of us are Olympians, and for half of us it's our first time."

Lisa Fernandez
On the high standards expected of the team:
"The new additions to the team came in knowing the expectations of the team. It is true that anything less than gold would be a huge disappointment. Our coach continues to set the standards, he has done an incredible job, we feel ready, both physically and mentally."