10 Athletes To Watch At 2008 Olympics

See photos and learn more about the American athletes lighting up the Summer Olympics 2008.

Allyson Felix - Felix was able to focus just on the 200 meters after failing to qualify for the 100 during the Track and Field Trials. At just 18, Felix took home silver during the 2004 Olympics in Athens. She’s the favorite to take home gold in Beijing but shouldn’t overlook Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica.

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Allyson Felix - Felix was able to focus just on the 200 meters after failing to qualify for the 100 during the Track and Field Trials. At just 18, Felix took home silver during the 2004 Olympics in Athens. She’s the favorite to take home gold in Beijing but shouldn’t overlook Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica.

Cullen Jones - Jones is just the second African-American swimmer to qualify for an Olympic individual event. The Bronx native broke the American record in the 50 meter freestyle at the 2008 Olympic swimming trials, which was broken the next day by Garret Weber-Gale.

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Cullen Jones - Jones is just the second African-American swimmer to qualify for an Olympic individual event. The Bronx native broke the American record in the 50 meter freestyle at the 2008 Olympic swimming trials, which was broken the next day by Garret Weber-Gale.

Dara Torres - Torres is the first swimmer from the United States to compete in five different Olympics (1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2008). At 41, Torres was the star of the Olympic swimming trials, starting speculation that she might be taking performance-enhancing drugs. Torres will compete in the 50 meter freestyle.

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Dara Torres - Torres is the first swimmer from the United States to compete in five different Olympics (1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2008). At 41, Torres was the star of the Olympic swimming trials, starting speculation that she might be taking performance-enhancing drugs. Torres will compete in the 50 meter freestyle.

Michael Phelps Isn't Perfect Outside Pool - For such a world-class swimmer, Michael Phelps has had his share of problems outside the pool. In 2004, at the age of 19, Phelps was arrested for driving under the influence and was ordered to serve 18 months probation. In early 2009, photos were released of Phelps using a bong at a house party, resulting in a three-month suspension by USA Swimming.

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Michael Phelps - Six gold medals in 2004 at Athens weren’t enough for swimmer Michael Phelps. The 23-year-old is shooting for eight gold medals in Beijing and is the favorite across the board. If successful, Phelps will break Mark Spitz’s Olympics record of seven gold medals.

Bernard Lagat - The Kenya native turned U.S. citizen took home a bronze in 2000 and silver in 2004 during the 1500 meters. In order for Lagat to take home the gold at Beijing, he will have to beat out a fellow Kenyan in Augustine Choge.

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Bernard Lagat - The Kenya native turned U.S. citizen took home a bronze in 2000 and silver in 2004 during the 1500 meters. In order for Lagat to take home the gold at Beijing, he will have to beat out a fellow Kenyan in Augustine Choge.

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Candace Parker - Parker is going for a feat that has never been accomplished before; winning a women’s national championship, a gold medal and a WNBA title in the same year. The United States women’s basketball team has won 25 straight games since losing in the semifinals at the 1992 Olympics.

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Candace Parker - Parker is going for a feat that has never been accomplished before; winning a women’s national championship, a gold medal and a WNBA title in the same year. The United States women’s basketball team has won 25 straight games since losing in the semifinals at the 1992 Olympics.

Tyson Gay - All eyes will be on the 100 meters after Tyson Gay recorded a wind-aided 9.68 at the Track and Field trials. Don’t forget that Gay had to pull out of the 200 meters because of cramps but should be good to go in time for a possible showdown with Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell.

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Tyson Gay - All eyes will be on the 100 meters after Tyson Gay recorded a wind-aided 9.68 at the Track and Field trials. Don’t forget that Gay had to pull out of the 200 meters because of cramps but should be good to go in time for a possible showdown with Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell.

Usain Bolt - Bolt became a household name after setting the world record in the 100 meters, with a time of 9.72. What makes his performance even more remarkable is Bolt’s preferred event is the 200 meters, which the Jamaican will be competing in as well.

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Usain Bolt - Bolt became a household name after setting the world record in the 100 meters, with a time of 9.72. What makes his performance even more remarkable is Bolt’s preferred event is the 200 meters, which the Jamaican will be competing in as well.

USA Men's Basketball - Once “The Dream Team,” the USA men’s basketball team will look to become the “Redeem Team” and avenge a 2004 bronze finish in Athens. USA basketball fans have to be nervous at the fact that the roster lacks depth at center and only has one pure shooter in Michael Redd.

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USA Men's Basketball - Once “The Dream Team,” the USA men’s basketball team will look to become the “Redeem Team” and avenge a 2004 bronze finish in Athens. USA basketball fans have to be nervous at the fact that the roster lacks depth at center and only has one pure shooter in Michael Redd.

Sanya Richards - Richards has been battling Bechet’s disease, a rare chronic inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the body. That hasn’t managed to slow her down on the track as she easily won the 400 at the U.S. trials. Expect her fiancé, New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross, to be cheering Richards on back in the U.S.

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Sanya Richards - Richards has been battling Bechet’s disease, a rare chronic inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the body. That hasn’t managed to slow her down on the track as she easily won the 400 at the U.S. trials. Expect her fiancé, New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross, to be cheering Richards on back in the U.S.