U.S. Paralympic delegation holds flag-raising ceremony_English

The U.S. delegation holds its flag-raising ceremony in the Paralympic Village in Beijing Sept. 5, 2008. (Xinhua Photo/Wang Yan)
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BEIJING, Sept. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- The U.S. delegation held its flag-raising ceremony in the Paralympic Village here on Friday evening.

213 U.S. athletes will compete in the Beijing Paralympics Games, which will kick off on Saturday evening.

"From the enthusiasm that I've seen here tonight, and from the dedication and effort they have put in to get in here, I am very excited about the potential from them to do extremely well," James B. Peake, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, told reporters at the ceremony.

Peake also praised the preparation work of the organizing committee.

"I am talking to some of our athletes who have participated in other Olympics, and they are saying it's just tremendous how smooth everything has gone," said Peake. "I think the organizing committee should be very proud, and China should be very proud."

Melissa Stockwell, who will compete at the swimming event, said she will do her best at the Paralympics as she dreamed to go in the Olympics when she was younger.

"It is kind of like I got the second chance to present my country and do something great athletically," said Stockwell.