CHICAGO: Athletes and coaches from Team USA fielded questions about Tibet, Darfur and their opinions on other political matters during a three-day Olympic Summit in the "Windy City".

US Olympic Committee spokesman Darryl Seibel, left, chairman Peter Ueberroth, second left, chief executive officer Jim Scherr, second right, and chief of sport performance Steve Roush take questions during the 2008 US Olympic Team Media Summit on Tuesday in Chicago. [Agencies]

But most of the past and future Olympians chose to downplay recent controversies, insisting the Olympics is about sports not politics and expressed the hope that their achievements would draw more attention than any outside factors.

Mike Candrea, head coach of the United States softball team, said it was an honor to be a torchbearer in San Francisco. Candrea spoke about what he described as a hostile environment, one he did not expect or support.

"It was like being in a movie. I've never seen a demonstration in action the way I saw it in San Francisco," he said.

"There was a part of me that was scared - in this day and age I did not want to be a sitting target. I don't mind them speaking their piece but I hated them to have that revolve around the flame."

Candrea, who hopes to lead the US softball team to a fourth-straight gold medal in Beijing, said he was energized by the run with the torch and wished he could have carried it for "more than 25 steps", but he said the scene that day became more chaotic as the relay progressed.

Many athletes echoed Candrea's view saying they would prefer to focus on their preparations rather than politics. Most were in agreement that the dream of representing their country at the Olympics was too important to put aside just for political views.

"All of us who have tried so hard to get to this point should be focused on the Games now," said 16-year-old gymnast Samantha Peszek, a member of the gold-winning squad from the 2007 World Championships. "We shouldn't let our dreams be crushed. I can't speak for all the Olympic athletes, but the only thing that matters is the competition. We're not really in control of anything else."

Of the athletes who are politically active, most have been discouraged from speaking out by their teams, but they have not been criticized either.

USA Softball outfielder Jessica Mendoza has been a vocal member of Team Darfur, a group that raises awareness about the conflicts in the Sudanese region. Her coach hopes Mendoza's humanitarian efforts and opinions don't distract the team from its Olympic goals.

"Jessica is a very passionate young lady. I just want to make sure her passion stays in the right arena, and I know it will," the coach said.

"I understand there's viable issues out there, I just think what the Olympics symbolizes is a peaceful way for everyone to get together, that's why I've always looked at the Olympics as the one time every four years that all these countries come together for a peaceful movement. I hate to see it being used as a political platform."

But despite her desire to speak out, Mendoza made it clear that she does not want protesters to tarnish the Olympic spirit, saying the Olympic Games are about more than China.

Demetrius Andrade, a 20-year-old boxer who wants to turn pro after the Olympics, said he expects good things in Beijing and plans to keep a low profile.

"If I go to another country, another culture, then I'd like to be welcomed," he said. "But everywhere you go, some people like the United States and some people don't. I just try to keep positive and give them a smile."

Another softballer, star pitcher Jennie Finch, said athletes and fans should celebrate and cherish the Olympic experience. She and her teammates will come to Beijing with heavy hearts as their sport has been scratched for the next Olympics. She said they will instead focus their attention on the lifetime of memories the 2008 Games will bring to them.

"The Olympics are a celebration and that's what we're going to be doing there, celebrating this incredible environment.

"This is a healthy, competitive environment with athletes from all over the world so let's celebrate this. Let's set politics and religion aside and let's just really enjoy the Olympics and what it is they're about," Finch said.

Chicago's Olympic dream

While Finch's team has its long-term sights set on bringing softball back for the 2016 Olympics, the city of Chicago used the opportunity to showcase itself as a possible Olympic host city in 2016.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daly addressed the media on both Monday and Tuesday, while Patrick Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016, invited all attendees, including athletes, to explore the lakefront city.

With 130 athletes and 450 media members present, the event was by far the largest US Olympic media summit to date.