Athlete Profiles
Ali Abdo: Happy to be an underdog
Australian wrestler Ali Abdo will be suiting up for his third Olympics in Beijing.
Freddy Adu: Much Adu about nothing
United States midfielder Freddy Adu made his professional debut at 14, played his first senior international two years later and won a transfer to former European champions Benfica at the age of 18.
Tanya Bailey: Experienced rider not afraid to fail
Tanya Bailey has been a national BMX cyclist for 10 years but will only get her first opportunity to represent Australia in the Olympics at the Beijing Games.
Bronte Barratt: Realising a dream
Queenslander Bronte Barratt will be realising a lifelong dream when she lines up for Australia in the 200m and 400m freestyle events in Beijing.
Ryan Bayley: Junk food junkie to genuine athlete
When Ryan Bayley exploded onto the Olympic stage in Athens four years ago, the interest in the Western Australian rider was as much for his image as the fast-food eating super athlete as for his dual gold medal performance.
Gemma Beadsworth: Young but not wet behind the ears
Western Australian Gemma Beadsworth will go into the Olympics at the age of 21, making her the youngest member of the women's water polo team.
Kenenisa Bekele: Set to shine despite spurning double
Kenenisa Bekele heads to the Beijing Olympics as the defending 10,000m champion and world record-holder in both that event and the 5,000m, but sadly for running fans he has ruled out a double.
Coral Bentley: Treading to the beat
Dancing and swimming, put them both together and you have synchronised swimming.
Alain Bernard: hot tip for Beijing glory
French swimming star Alain Bernard has become a hot tip for gold at August's Beijing Olympics following his record-breaking exploits at the European championships earlier in the year.
Andrew Bogut: Driving Boomers' medal hopes
The Boomers' hopes for an elusive first Olympic medal will rest primarily on the broad shoulders of Australia's only established NBA player Andrew Bogut.
Usain Bolt: Turning athletics on its head
Usain Bolt has turned the athletics world on its head, claiming the title of World's Fastest Man with a stunning run in a race which is supposedly not even his best event.
Sarah Bombell: Taking on the pool with a smile
Ten hours a day of training is something you would expect from athletes devoted to the pool - including synchronised swimmers.
Luke Boyd: Rugby castaway just right for Olympics
From a young age, Luke Boyd performed a juggling act between rugby league commitments and a talent for boxing.
Steve Brown: Olympic first for judo youngster
Young South Australian Steve Brown is about to live his dream as a member of Australia's Olympic judo squad.
Kobe Bryant: NBA king looking to follow Jordan's path
Having finally learnt to share the ball, Kobe Bryant is poised to lead the US charge for Olympic basketball gold in Beijing.
Veronica Campbell-Brown: Drawing inspiration from Ottey
Veronica Campbell-Brown's Olympic dream changed in one race after a fourth place in the Jamaican championships left the world champion without a lane in the Olympics 100 metres.
James Chapman: Banking on rowing success
Australian rower James Chapman has dreamt of representing his country at the Olympics ever since he was a young child.
Sam Conrad: Keeping it in the family
The Olympic Games, and rowing in particular, run in Sam Conrad's blood.
Natalie Cook: Digging deep for a Sydney repeat
After four Olympic Games, beach volleyball veteran Natalie Cook has had plenty of sand between the toes and she is about due for another gold medal.
Natalie Coughlin: Aiming to raise the bar
Exceeding the five Olympic medals she won in 2004 and lowering her 100 metres backstroke world record are what American Natalie Coughlin hopes to achieve at next month's Beijing Olympics.
Kirsty Coventry: Success brings rare cheer to Zimbabwe
With a gold-medal tally trumped only by swimming giants Australia and the United States, Zimbabwe's performance at the world short-course championships was staggering.
Tom Daley: Set to make a splash at Beijing
Diving is rarely headline news in Britain but Tom Daley is changing all that. He will be aged just 14 when he competes in Beijing, making him Britain's second-youngest Olympian of all time.
Angie Darby: Ready to take on the modern pentathlon
Modern Pentathlete Angie Darby lines up as Australia's sole competitor in the multi-pronged discipline ahead of the 2008 Beijing Games.
Hannah Davis: Talent search pays dividends
An active member of the Glenelg surf club, Hannah Davis had been involved with surf lifesaving from the age of 6.
Michael Diamond: Back on target for more gold
Trap shooter Michael Diamond has experienced the highs of the Olympics, as well as the lows.
Natalie du Toit: Defiant amputee to go the distance
In non-Olympic years, Natalie du Toit spends a lot of time giving motivational talks to schools, companies and churches in South Africa.
Phillip Dutton: Aussie gold medallist riding for US
As hard as it was for Phillip Dutton to help Australia claim Olympic gold in the equestrian three-day team event at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, the outback-born rider faces a tougher task for Beijing.
Jamie Dwyer: Looking after number one
The number 1 applies as much to Jamie Dwyer's reputation as a force in world hockey as it does to the back of his Kookaburras jersey.
Casey Eastham: Ready to stick it to 'tough' Asian sides
At 19, Casey Eastham is the youngest member of the Australian women's hockey team travelling to the Beijing Games.
Daniel Ellis: Cycling's 'sweet child' leading his idols
When cycling veteran Shane Kelly began his Olympic career 16 years ago, Daniel Ellis would have been an innocent four-year-old battling the stigma of training wheels.
Roger Federer: Running out of steam?
Roger Federer will celebrate his 27th birthday by carrying Switzerland's flag at the Olympics opening ceremony. He has little else to cheer about right now.
Jennie Finch: Pin-up, mother, crusader
American Jennie Finch is the face of a sport that is about to lose its Olympic identity.
Paul Fleming: From labourer to Olympian
Queenslander Paul Fleming has built up a boxing resume in as inconspicuous a manner as possible - juggling his training with hours of work as a labourer.
Lyndsie Fogarty: Former swimmer cruising above water
Olympic kayaker Lyndsie Fogarty has always had a relationship with water, but the former nationals swimmer will compete above the surface rather than below it in Beijing.
Tyson Gay: Taking the humble route to glory
Generally in short supply among the world's fastest sprinters, humility is a virtue which defines the life of American Tyson Gay.
Haile Gebrselassie: No plans to retire
At the age of 35, Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie has won all the honours in long-distance running but is risking his status by lining up in a competitive 10,000m showdown in Beijing.
Grant Hackett: Resurfacing in time for Beijing
Plenty of male swimmers have won the same individual event at two Olympics but none has claimed three in a row. Grant Hackett plans to change that.
Jo Halls: Quick feet and sharp mind
Melbourne-born Jo Halls is one of two Australians set to compete in the fencing competition at the Beijing Olympics.
Tanya Harding: Stepping up to the mound for final innings
This Olympic softball tournament marks an end of sorts for all competitors, since the IOC has removed the sport from the program for London in 2012.
Katie Hoff: Female Phelps shows characteristic modesty
Katie Hoff's ambitious program at the Beijing Olympics has earned her the tag of the female Michael Phelps, but the swimmer Phelps calls his "little sister" can't quite see it that way.
Kate Hollywood: Olympic debutant recovered from injury
Australian women's hockey starlet Kate Hollywood made her debut with the Hockeyroos in the 2005 USA Test series.
Chris Hoy: Flying Scotsman eyeing triple gold
If there is one Olympian the British delegation will look to for gold medal glory in Beijing, it is sure to be Scottish track cycling king Chris Hoy.
Nikki Hudson: Hockeyroos prankster wary of physical Dutch
One of the veterans of the Australian women's hockey team, Nikki Hudson will be attending her third Olympic Games in Athens.
Yelena Isinbayeva: Seeking new heights in Beijing
Women's world, Olympic and European pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva has kept her head down in the build-up to the Beijing Games after yet another impressive season.
Lauren Jackson: Russian roubles no substitute for Olympic gold
Ever since she was a teenager, Lauren Jackson has been a giant of women's basketball - and not just physically.
LeBron James: King James leads hunt for gold
When it comes to medals, a bronze will not be good enough this time for Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James and his team-mates on the US Olympic squad.
Leisel Jones: Hoping for third time lucky
Armed with a new-found maturity and self-belief, Australia's Leisel Jones is hoping it will be third time lucky when she stands up on the blocks at the Beijing Olympics.
Daria Joura: Lifelong gymnast ready for Beijing 'stage'
Russian-born gymnast Daria Joura grew up in a coal mining town five hours from Moscow, but is now preparing to board the plane for Beijing wearing green and gold.
Kamakazi: Taking one for his chosen sport
Jamie Hildebrant certainly can't be accused of not doing enough to promote his sport.
Shane Kelly: Slips and silvers in pursuit of elusive gold
Two careers were riding on the result of a 625-metre cycling time trial in Melbourne during June.
Virdhawal Khade: India find hope in teenage sensation
India's Virdhawal Khade is being hailed as a swimming sensation in his medal-starved country after the 16-year-old qualified for three events at the Beijing Olympics.
Kosuke Kitajima: Defending double gold in Beijing
Japanese swim star Kosuke Kitajima relishes the role of challenger, but he will have to adopt that of favourite when he defends his 100m and 200m Olympic breaststroke titles in Beijing.
Carolina Kluft: New horizons for heptathlon queen
Swedish golden girl Carolina Kluft is determined to bag two gold medals at the Beijing Olympics after renouncing the defence of her heptathlon crown due to lack of motivation.
Bernard Lagat: In student mode for Beijing preparations
As Bernard Lagat pounds the familiar back roads near his home in Tucson, Arizona on another day of intense training, he suddenly hears a faint warning voice behind him.
Jacqui Lawrence: Sibling rivalry makes way for Beijing
Australia's sole female slalom kayaker Jacqui Lawrence says her defeat of sister Kate to qualify for the Beijing Games will inspire her to great heights at the Olympics.
Tatiana Lebedeva: Lieutenant Colonel gunning for gold
Long and triple jump world champion Tatiana Lebedeva of Russia comes to Beijing aiming to add another Olympic gold medal to her trophy cabinet.
Laurie Lever: Debuting at age 60
For most athletes, the journey to an Olympic Games will be somewhere between eight and 15 years, taking in the time in junior sport building all the way to the elite level.
Anthony Little: Staying sharp for round two
Anthony Little's sporting and boxing career has been busy to say the least.
Ryan Lochte: Content in Phelps's shadow
Ryan Lochte has no problems with good friend and rival Michael Phelps grabbing the pre-Olympic spotlight, but when the duo hit the water in Beijing next month he will not concede a thing.
Deborah Lovely: A genuine all-rounder raising the bar
She has excelled in throwing a discuss, a hammer and even a rugby ball as well as tearing up the track on two wheels, but Deborah Lovely has her sights firmly set on making the Olympic history books on the weightlifting platform.
Tania Luiz: Qualified hand in inexperienced Badminton duo
Australian badminton player Tania Luiz has seven national titles to her name in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics.
Donna MacFarlane: Overcoming adversity and chasing gold
By any measure it has been a tumultuous year for Donna MacFarlane.
Luke Madill: BMX bid from backyard to Beijing
Australian BMX rider Luke Madill is stopping at nothing to get an edge for Beijing.
Nicolas Massu: Still hoping to retain tennis gold
Nicolas Massu still believes he can retain the gold medal he won at the Athens Olympics despite plummeting down the ATP rankings in the last six months.
Trent McClenahan: Ready to defend his Olympic dream
Despite being perhaps one of the lesser known names in the Olyroos squad, Trent McClenahan is one of only a handful of prospective Australian footballers taking big club experience to Beijing.
Sally McLellan: Punching above her weight
One of the best young sprinting talents Australia has produced in recent times, Sally McLellan, has high hopes of making an impact after realising her childhood ambition of making the 2008 Olympics squad.
Anna Meares: Back from the brink to chase more gold
Controversy engulfed Australia's track cycling team in the build-up to the Athens Olympics four years ago.
Lionel Messi: Grand stage for Argentine show stopper
The will he or won't he saga surrounding Lionel Messi's participation in the Olympic Games has overshadowed the fact the the football world is in raptures over this diminutive show stopper.
Miao Miao: Returning to China in green and gold
Miao Miao took up table tennis at the age of 9 because her father is a table tennis coach, and he remains her mentor to this day.
Yao Ming: Return gives China hope of medal
When Chinese giant Yao Ming hobbled off court with a broken foot during an NBA Game in February, his injury triggered panic in his home country.
Sania Mirza: Assured of large fan following
Indian tennis queen Sania Mirza is assured of a large fan following in Beijing even if she fails to impress on the Olympic courts.
Alicia Molik: Fallen star on the road to Beijing
Australian tennis player Alicia Molik is confident she can turn around her low ranking to return to the top of the women's game ahead of the Beijing Games.
Craig Mottram: Chasing down the African giants
Australia's Craig Mottram will compete in middle-distance events dominated by African runners at the Bejing Olympics.
Hope Munro: Hockeyroos to leave everything on the field
Hope Munro, a mother of two, is a key part of the Australian women's hockey team's tilt for a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Eddie Ockenden: Flying the flag for the Apple Isle
Twenty-one-year-old Eddie Ockenden is one of the most exciting prospects in Australia's men's hockey team, but despite leading the young generation he has his feet planted firmly on the ground.
Yoon Ok-hee: Korean targets a Beijing bull's eye
She may only be an Olympic debutant, but Yoon Ok-hee is well-equipped to mount a serious challenge for an archery gold medal in Beijing.
Tarren Otte: Grace above water
Tarren Otte has been involved with synchronised swimming since she was 9 and will attend her first Olympic Games at the tender age of 19.
Michael Phelps: Eyes not on the prize
Four years on from Athens, Michael Phelps will arrive in Beijing poised to make Olympic history and join the select few whose feats see them transcend their sports.
Adam Pine: Australian swimming's elder statesmen
The oldest member of the Australian swimming squad at 32, Adam Pine will be competing in his third Olympic Games after qualifying in a personal best time of 51.9 seconds for the 100-metres butterfly.
Brooke Pratley: Late bloomer with fortune on her side
The first time Brooke Pratley set eyes on a rowing boat, she was already finishing university.
Paula Radcliffe: Unfinished business after triple failure
Paula Radcliffe is Britain's main hope of an athletics gold at the Beijing Olympics but the 34-year-old accepts that for all her medals and titles, she still has to prove herself on the ultimate stage.
Stephanie Rice: Time to deliver on the hype
Stephanie Rice has been rarely out of the headlines for the last couple of years and now with the Beijing Games finally upon us, it is time for the 20-year-old to deliver on the hype in the Olympic pool.
Michael Rogers: Facing big time trial test
Australian cyclist Michael Rogers is looking forward to putting his skills back on the international stage after what has proved to be a trying year for the Columbia Team pro.
Kristian Sarkies: Forgotten man with an eye for goal
The final and arguably most spectacular goal from Melbourne's 6-0 win over Adelaide United in the 2006/07 A-League grand final is also perhaps the least memorable.
Billy Joe Saunders: On the road to boxing fame
Billy Joe Saunders, an 18-year-old Romany living on a travellers' site on the outskirts of London, looks set to become the face of British amateur boxing in Beijing.
Jessicah Schipper: Leaving nothing to chance
Jessicah Schipper will travel to Beijing for her second Olympic campaign looking to add individual medals to the gold medal she took home from the women's 4x100m medal relay in Athens.
Emma Snowsill: Diminutive but full of heart
Standing at only 161 cm and weighing in at a slender 48 kilograms, it is hard to imagine that Emma Snowsill will be competing in one of the most gruelling and challenging events at the Olympic Games.
Nicholas Sprenger: Striving for perfection
Queensland swimmer Nicholas Sprenger is lining up for his second Olympics campaign with a much broader appreciation for what it means to compete at the Games.
Craig Stevens: Selfless swimmer eyes unfinished business
Four years on from Athens, 27-year-old Craig Stevens is ready to emerge from the shadow of Australia's greatest ever swimmer.
Samantha Stosur: Looking for Olympics boost
While competing at the Olympics is a challenge for anyone, Australian tennis player Samantha Stosur has had to leap an extra hurdle just to take her place in the Beijing field.
Stephen Sutherland: Young boxer no lightweight
At 51 kilograms, 17-year-old gloveman Stephen Sutherland is the lightest and slightest of Australia's Olympic boxers travelling to Beijing.
Jared Tallent: Focused on going the distance
Jared Tallent began his national representative career in the sport of triathlon before moving across to race walking.
Eugenia Tanaka: Sweat and sacrifice for Badminton glory
Indonesian born Eugenia Tanaka gained her Australian citizenship just last year and will now represent her new homeland in the doubles Badminton event.
Bronwyn Thompson: Looking to peak at the right time
Long jumper Bronwyn Thompson will be one of Australia's most senior athletes in Beijing.
Mark Todd: Promises Hong Kong a lively ride
Royalty has withdrawn but past heroes are lining up for gold as Hong Kong prepares to host the Olympic equestrian events for the Beijing 2008 Games.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley: Experienced Olyroo and ideal solution
The modern-day full back in football combines the primary defensive role with an ability to distribute the ball forward quickly and overlap on the flanks on the fast break.
James Tomkins: Taking on his biggest challenge
As a member of the Oarsome Foursome, James Tomkins won gold in Barcelona and Atlanta. But while the rest of his crew retired, he went on to claim victory in Athens.
Libby Trickett: A swimming favourite by any name
Australia's top female swimmer has changed her surname, built up her backside and recovered from an attack of stage fright at the Athens Olympics.
Alejandro Valverde: Taking aim at road race gold
A combination of tactical nous and sheer leg power on a climb that will be raced seven times during the men's Olympic road race is a must for any cyclist aiming for gold in Beijing.
Jeremy Wariner: Dreaming of a perfect finish
It is the perfect scenario for Olympic and world champion sprinter Jeremy Wariner, a breathtaking image that he has contemplated countless times.
Tarnee White: Returning to the pool
Breaststroker Tarnee White returns to the Olympic fold for the first time since Sydney 2000.
Melissa Wu: Ready to make a splash in Beijing
At 16, Melissa Wu is the youngest diver to ever represent Australia, and the smallest - under five feet tall and weighing just 37 kilograms.
Liu Xiang: Carrying the hopes of a nation
Liu Xiang will have to deal with injury, the huge weight of expectation as China's only hope of a track gold medal and an in-form rival if he is to defend his 110-metres hurdles title in Beijing.
Ruben Zadkovich: Waiting on the wings for Olyroos chance
Olyroos coach Graham Arnold has picked a very deliberate Olyroos squad for the Beijing Games capable of matching the likes of Argentina and the Ivory Coast.
David Zalcberg: Balancing act for dedicated student
Studying medicine can be a challenging pursuit at the best of times, especially when one seeks to balance their studies with rigorous preparations for the Beijing Games.
Chen Zhong: Aiming to continue taekwondo domination
When China's Chen Zhong won her second consecutive heavyweight gold in taekwondo, she felt the most blessed person in the world.
