PAN AM ROUNDUP : U.S. Official Is Perplexed by Criticism

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina —  Leroy Walker, head of the U.S. delegation to the Pan American Games, reacted Thursday to criticism from Mario Vasquez Rana, the head of the games’ organizing committee.

Vasquez Rana, referring to the fact that the United States sent 1,202 people, including 746 athletes, Wednesday said, “It’s craziness. I don’t know why they brought so many. It was a mistake. It’s not even good for them.”

Walker said he took the comments as “almost a personal affront.”

He said Vasquez Rana and other members of organizing committee were adamant that the Americans be representative at Mar Del Plata, even if the timing of the games is bad for many sports.

“Vasquez Rana pleaded with me,” said Walker. “We always try to help with greater participation in the games, and we have done that.

“This is a particularly sensitive year, it being March. I went to the governing bodies and told them we have got to compete. We cajoled them and then they all have sent teams to compete.”

Vasquez Rana was in Uruguay on Thursday and unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, the huge U.S. team continued its medals haul as the gymnasts, archers and roller speedskaters stepped to the forefront.

Through Thursday, the United States had 189 medals, 73 gold. Cuba was next with 95, 43 golds.

Olympian Shannon Miller of Edmond, Okla., collected two golds and a silver as the American women won all the gymnastics golds and three silvers. Amy Chow of San Jose and Amanda Borden of Cincinnati got the other golds. Chow added a silver and Borden also got a silver. Only two women from each nation competed Thursday.

In archery, Janet Dykman of El Monte won silver medals in the women’s 30- and 50-meter events.