体坛英语资讯：Host Mexico hopes for strong performance at 2011 PanAm Games

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 14 -- Mexican sports officials and fans have high hopes at the 2011 Pan American games which will start Friday in the city of Guadalajara in Mexico's central state of Jalisco.

Mexico's Sports Minister Bernardo de la Garza and Felipe Munoz, secretary general of Mexico's Olympic Committee announced at a join press conference that the official goal for Mexico is to surpass its record of 23 gold medals from the 1995 games in Argentina's city of Mar del Plata.

"I am sure that there will be a lot of joy, that we will see our flag rise more than 80 times in these Pan American Games, and that we will listen to our national anthem more than 23 times and in that way make history," Garza said earlier this month.

"Everyone here is focused on sports, people are very enthusiastic, tickets for all sports events are almost sold out," Juan Jose Martinez, spokesman for the Organizing Committee president Mario Vazquez, told Xinhua.

Pinned by most as Mexico's biggest hope for securing at least one gold medal for the country is without doubt the world champion in diving, Paola Espinosa.

The 25-year-old Espinosa won gold at the 2009 World Championships in Rome, bronze in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and a full three gold medals during the 2007 Pan American games in Brazil.

"My fellow countrymen are looking forward to a gold medal. I hope I can have an excellent performance," she told Xinhua earlier this week.

Also top of the list of sports in which Mexico is predicted its best chances for gold is the national soccer selection which will be up against all possible pressure to ensure the home team takes the first prize.

Playing against Ecuador in its first match on Oct. 19 the Mexican team can expect tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans to cheer them on from even before the first whistle.

"Mexico is the favorites to win because we are playing at home but no one can assume that this will be easy," Mexican coach Luis Tena told local press in Mexico City.

Mexican soccer has had an outstanding year, first winning the Gold Cup in June, followed by the Under-17 team's triumph to clinch the gold after a spectacular performance in the 2011 World Cup which Mexico hosted in July. These two victories were followed by another great effort by Mexico's Under-20 team which won bronze in the 2011 World Cup for that category held in Colombia in August.

"To be able to put on the national shirt and play for the team has always been a honer and one has to do his best for the country. We have the obligation and commitment to win the gold," Mexican midfielder Diego Reyes told Univision sports television.

One of the events that will make its re-entry in the Guadalajara games after eight-year absence is racquetball, also known as frontenis, which Mexico believes there are good chances of securing at least a couple of gold medals by both its male and female athletes.

Other disciplines in which Mexico has a solid record of winning medals are taekwondo, cycling, shooting, gymnastics and marathon.

Trying to calm down the nerves of the Mexican athletes who are feeling the pressure from weeks and months of intense preparations, Mexico's President Felipe Calderon wished the athletes success.

"You are not going to get nervous because you are at home, you have all the backing of the public and you will be focused," said Calderon.

The games will run from Oct. 14 to Oct. 30.