“I’m so excited; it was amazing,” said Lee. “Out of all of these Pan American countries, we’re the ones up there with our national anthem being played and being able to watch our flag being raised, in fact two flags (one for bronze medalists Jamie Subandhi and Joanne Chen). I don’t know how to describe it. Words can’t describe it. It’s amazing.”

The United States was not as fortunate in the second match as Howard Bach (San Francisco, Calif./Orange, Calif.) and Khan “Bob” Malaythong (Rockville, Md./Orange, Calif.) fell to their rivals from Canada in the men’s doubles final. Bach and Malaythong received the silver medal after dropping the final match to Mike Beres and William Milroy of Canada two games to none (20-22; 13-21).

Also receiving their bronze medal in the medal ceremonies today was Jamie Subandhi (Westminster, Calif.) and Kuei-Ya “Joanne” Chen (Irvine, Calif.) who won bronze in women’s doubles.

Tomorrow, Thursday, July 19, 2007 is the final day of badminton action at the 2007 Pan American Games. Action will begin in Pavilion 4B of the Riocentro Convention Center at 10:00 Rio time with women’s singles. Men’s singles will follow at 11:00 and mixed doubles at 12:00. The United States will be represented in both women’s singles and mixed doubles. Lee will take on Charmaine Reid of Canada in women’s singles, while her and Bach will match up against Valerie Loker and Mike Beres, also of Canada in the mixed doubles final. Lee will be hoping to make these Pan American Games a trifecta of gold as she won gold in women’s doubles with Mangkalakiri (Garden Grove, Calif.) today.

The USA Badminton Team will wrap-up the 2007 Pan American Games with seven medals, only the color needs to be determined on the final two. Lee and Mangkalakiri won gold in women’s doubles, Bach and Malaythong (Rockville, Md./Orange, Calif.) captured the silver medal in men’s doubles on Wednesday, July 18. Eric Go (Palo Alto, Calif./Orange, Calif.) won the bronze in men’s singles (will receive medal tomorrow), Mangkalakiri and Malaythong won bronze in mixed doubles (will receive medal tomorrow) and Subandhi (Westminster, Calif.) and Chen (Irvine, Calif.) won bronze in women’s doubles.

“I can’t believe I made it this far (in all three disciplines) actually,” said Lee. “To do it in three disciplines is really difficult, especially for me because I don’t have the best stamina. I have good partners though and they help me out a lot.”

Please visit www.tournamentsoftware.com for complete results from the 2007 Pan American Games.

Representing the United States of America in the sport of badminton at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil are:

Men:
Howard Bach (San Francisco, Calif./Orange, Calif.)
Khan “Bob” Malaythong (Rockville, Md./Orange, Calif.)
Eric Go (Palo Alto, Calif./Orange, Calif.)
Nicholas Jinadasa (Long Beach, Calif.)

Women:
Eva Lee (Orange, Calif.)
Mesinee “May” Mangkalakiri (Garden Grove, Calif.)
Jamie Subandhi (Westminster, Calif.)
Kuei-Ya “Joanne” Chen (Irvine, Calif.)

Head Coach: Zi Min Cai (Orange, Calif.)
Assistant Coach: Kevin Hussey (Charleston, Ill.)
Team Leader: Linda Shen (Baldwin Park, Calif.)

For more information, please contact Cecil Bleiker, United States Olympic Committee NGB Services Manager at 011-55-21-8890-3153. This press release is also available on the USOC’s media specific website at www.usocpressbox.org.