COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The 2008 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams that competed in Beijing, China in August and September will come together again as they visit Washington, D.C. for the traditional White House visit on October 7.

The White House visit, which will include more than 500 U.S. athletes, will begin at 9:40 a.m. on the South Lawn. The President has been an ardent supporter of the 2008 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams having hosted a send-off celebration at the White House prior to the Games in addition to meeting with the U.S. Olympic Team prior to Opening Ceremonies on August 8 and watching many of them compete. An official White House delegation also traveled to Beijing for the 2008 Paralympic Games and met with members of the U.S. Paralympic Team.

The 597 members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team achieved one of the best performances in Games history. The U.S. Team concluded the 2008 Olympic Games with 110 medals (36 gold, 38 silver, 36 bronze), leading the overall medal standings for the fourth consecutive Olympic Games while setting a new U.S. record for medal production in a full-participation Games. The previous record for the U.S. Team was 108 medals won at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, followed by 107 medals won at the Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games (does not include the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games or the St. Louis 1904 Olympic Games).

In addition to the medal count, the U.S. Team finished the 2008 Olympic Games with 203 top-8 finishes, which is seven ahead of the total the U.S. Team earned at the 2004 Olympic Games. The 203 top-8 finishes placed Team USA first, 34 ahead of China's 169, with Russia third at 165.

The 2008 U.S. Paralympic Team also enjoyed great success in Beijing, finishing third in the overall medals standings with 99, and was 11 better than the 88 won in Athens in 2004. The team's third place finish in the medal count, bettered its standings from Athens (fourth) and Sydney (fifth).

For the first time, the U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team finished first in the medal standings, winning 17 gold medals. With 44 total medals, nine more than they took home from Athens, the team set a total of 16 World Records and 23 Paralympic records.

The U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Team accrued 27 medals, including six World records.

In team sports, the U.S. Women's Goalball Team, the U.S. Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team and the U.S. Men's Rugby Team all earned gold medals in Beijing. The U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball Team upset the Netherlands to make it to the final match, eventually losing to China, but claiming the silver, their best finish ever in the Paralympic Games.

For more information, please contact the USOC Communications Division at 719-866-4529.