Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch - Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch - CBS News Lauren Moraski May 29, 2012, 10:10 AM Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch Next Jamaican gold medallist Usain Bolt gestures during the awards ceremony for the men's 200 metres at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Daegu on September 4, 2011. AFP PHOTO / KIM JAE-HWAN (Photo credit should read KIM JAE-HWAN/AFP/Getty Images) KIM JAE-HWAN This is one of a weekly series of stories, called Road to the Olympics, that will focus on different aspects of the preparations for the Summer Games in London. (CBS News) This summer, while athletes have their eyes on Olympic gold, viewers at home will have their eyes on the athletes. People around the world will watch as Olympians compete for bragging rights, records and medals in their respective sports when the London Games kick off in July.

Special Section: London 2012 Summer Olympics We've compiled a list, in no particular order, of althetes to watch this year, representing different countries and excelling in various sports. Some names you'll already know. Others are new faces. But they all are ones viewers should keep an eye on. Keep clicking to see our 10 Olympians to watch. Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch Jamaican gold medallist Usain Bolt gestures during the awards ceremony for the men's 200 metres at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Daegu on September 4, 2011. AFP PHOTO / KIM JAE-HWAN (Photo credit should read KIM JAE-HWAN/AFP/Getty Images) KIM JAE-HWAN Usain Bolt Standing at 6'5" and weighing 207 pounds, the Jamaica-born Usain Bolt caught the world by storm after winning three gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He became the first man in Olympic history to win both the 100-meter and 200-meter races in world record times.

Since the age 14, Bolt had been winning regional championships in western Jamaica, as well as national meets in the Caribbean. Ever since accomplishing those feats, Bolt, 25, has had his fair share of successes. In 2007, he broke Jamaica's 200-meter record of more than 30 years, held by the Donald Quarri. Considered the "world's fastest man," Bolt is setting his sights on another Olympic win at the 2012 games in London. Bolt is so serious about the upcoming competition that in May, he reportedly split from Slovakian fashion designer Lubica Slovak so he could concentrate on the games, reports the Jamaican Star and New York Post. In March, he was photographed "racing" Prince Harry during the British royal's visit to Jamaica: Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch Russia's gold medal winner Yelena Isinbayeva celebrates with a national flag after winning the women's pole vault final at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Atakoy Athletics Arena in Istanbul on March 11, 2012.

AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) ADRIAN DENNIS Yelena Isinbayeva Yelena Isinbayeva, a pole vault champ from Russia, has set 27 world records - 15 outdoor and 12 indoor. She's won nine straight gold medals in indoor and outdoor championships since 2004. She set her first world record of 4.82 meters in Gateshead, England, in 2003. Women's pole vault became an Olympic event at the Sydney Games in 2000. Four years later, Isinbayeva went on to win an Olympic gold in Athens and then again in the Beijing 2008 games. If she wins in London, Isinbayeva, 29, will become the first female track and field athlete to score gold at three consecutive Olympic Games. She recently threw her support behind UNICEF, explaining on her website that she wanted to help out young people who aren't as fortunate as she has been. "I am so happy to be back to competition and able to break new records.

Like many of you I have been very saddened by tragic events affecting our youths recently, and they are very much in my mind when I train and throughout my day," she explained . "If I perform so well today it is due to a re-newed determination and energy, which come from the love and support from my parents, my friends, my coach and my fans." Special Section: London 2012 Summer Olympics Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch Michael Phelps of the US Olympic Swimming team poses for pictures during the 2012 Team USA Media Summit on May 13, 2012, in Dallas, Texas. JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GettyImages Michael Phelps Swimmer Michael Phelps came out of the 2008 Beijing Olympics holding the record for most gold medals at a single games with eight, breaking the record previously held by Mark Spitz at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Phelps has a whopping 16 Olympic medals and is looking to walk away with some more this summer in London. He's also close to topping Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina, who won 19 Olympic medals, the most for any athlete in Olympic history.

Read more: Michael Phelps - ready for London games? What makes it even more intense it that Phelps, 26, has hinted it will be his final Olympic Games. The American swimmer is known for his actions both in and out of the pool. He made headlines in 2008 after revealing he eats more than 12,000 calories a day while training and competing. Later that year, Phelps was photographed smoking marijuana at a student party at the University of South Carolina. ''I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment,'' Phelps said at the time. ''I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. Special Section: London 2012 Summer Olympics Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch Irish Katie Taylor (L) fights with Yana Zavyalova from Ukraine during the semi finals of the European Amateur boxing for Women 18 October 18, 2007 in Vejle, Denmark.

AFP PHOTO SCANPIX / CLAUS FISKER (Photo credit should read CLAUS FISKER/AFP/Getty Images) CLAUS FISKER Katie Taylor Katie Taylor has made boxing history time and time again in her native Ireland. Now she's going to put her skills to the test this summer when women's boxing makes its Olympic debut. Taylor comes from a boxing family; her father was a light heavyweight champion boxer, and her mother is a boxing referee. She started her boxing career in 1998, quickly going on to become a three-time world and five-time European champion. Taylor was invited by President Barack Obama to the White House in 2012. She also appeared in a clip with English rapper Tinie Tempah and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. See below: Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch Spanish Rafael Nadal returns the ball to German Florian Mayer during their match in the Italian Open Tennis Tournament (ATP and WTA World Tour), at the Foro Italico in Rome, on May 16, 2012 in Rome.

AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO (Photo credit should read ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/GettyImages) ANDREAS SOLARO Rafael Nadal Rafael Nadal is a name already on tennis fans' radars. The athlete, who hails from Spain, won a record six French Open titles, as well as 10 Grand Slam titles. The left-handed player also took home the gold medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Read more: Nadal upset by Verdasco in Madrid Nadal started playing tennis when he was four years old with his uncle Toni Nadal, a former tennis player, who's also his longtime coach. In 2011, Nadal, 25, received the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year honor for his contributions through the Rafael Nadal Foundation, dedicated to helping socially disadvantaged young people. Special Section: London 2012 Summer Olympics Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch Chris Hoy of Britain celebrates as he crosses the finish line to claim the bronze medal in the men's sprint at the 2012 Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne, on April 7, 2012.

IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO/William WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) WILLIAM WEST Chris Hoy Olympic gold medal-winning track cyclist Chris Hoy will return to the Olympics this summer for another shot at the gold. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, Hoy, 36, began competing in sports at the age of seven, starting out in crew and rugby. It wasn't until he was a high school senior that his love for track sprint cycling really took shape. He won his first world medal in 1999 and went on to score his first Olympic gold in the 2004 Athens games. Four years later, he won the Olympic gold in three track sprint events: the keirin, sprint and team sprint. He's the first Briton since 1908 to walk away with three gold medals in a single Olympic Games.

Special Section: London 2012 Summer Olympics Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 27: Oscar Pistorius looks on during day 3 of the 2012 Nedbank National Championships for the Physically Disabled at the Athletics Stadium on March 27, 2012 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images) Gallo Images Oscar Pistorius Paralympian sprinter Oscar Pistorius was just named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. The Johannesburg, South Africa, native is double-amputee sprinter. He was born without a fibula in each of his legs. Based on doctors' recommendations, his parents made the tough decision to amputate both of his legs below the knee. Known as the "Blade Runner" and "the fastest man on no legs," Pistorius is the first-ever Paralympian to win gold in each of the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter sprints (Beijing 2008).

He's also the first amputee to win an able-bodied world track medal, after the South African 4x400 meter relay team took home silver in last year's World Championships. Read more: Double-amputee Pistorius makes 400 final, aiming for Olympics Now he's looking to London 2012. According to Pistorius' website, "To be selected for the South African team to compete at the Olympic Games in London, Oscar must again run inside the 400m 'A' standard of 45.25 seconds between January and June 2012. Oscar will also be looking to represent South Africa in the Paralympic Games to defend his T44 100m, 200m and 400m titles." Special Section: London 2012 Summer Olympics Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele celebrates after winning the men's 10.000m during the Diamond League athletics meeting in Brussels on September 16, 2011.

AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS (Photo credit should read JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images) JOHN THYS Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopian long-distance runner Kenenisa Bekele holds the world record and Olympic record in both the 5000-meter and 10,000-meter events. The 29-year-old runner has won three Olympic gold medals and five world championship titles. His sights are set on the 5,000-meter and the 10,000-meter titles at the Olympics this summer. Bekele is the world record holder at both distances, but has experienced calf and knee injuries over the past couple of years. He recently told the U.K.'s Telegraph , he's "free of injury" and aiming for the gold. Special Section: London 2012 Summer Olympics Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch British heptathlete Jessica Ennis poses in the newly unveiled British Olympic Team GB kit designed by Stella McCartney during a photocall in central London on March 22, 2012.

AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) CARL COURT Jessica Ennis English track-and-field athlete Jessica Ennis is practicing for her first Olympics; she didn't attend Beijing in 2008 because of a foot injury. Despite the setback, she has remained extremely competitive, winning gold medals at the 2009 and 2010 World Championships. The 26-year-old grew up in Sheffield, England, where she started training at a young age. She focuses on multi-eventing disciplines and 100-meter hurdles - and is the former World heptathlon champion and former world indoor pentathlon champ. Ennis, who has been training six hours a day, six days a week, said she's looking forward to the Olympics taking place in her native country. "Having a home Olympics is a great thing to have and as an athlete you have to make the most of these opportunities because they're once in a lifetime but, at the same time, we are athletes and first and foremost we want to win as many medals as possible and be the best we can be," she told the U.K.'s Guardian this year.

"We need to get that balance, which I think the athletes are getting." Special Section: London 2012 Summer Olympics Road to the Olympics: Ten Olympians to watch Lin Dan of China returns a shuttlecock against Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand during their men's singles quarterfinal match of Badminton Asia Championships in China's northeastern coast city of Qingdao on April 20, 2012. Lin Dan won 21-15, 21-10. AFP PHOTO / LIU JIN (Photo credit should read LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Images) LIU JIN Lin Dan Chinese badminton star Lin Dan started competing in China's national badminton team in 2001 at the age of 18. He's now a four-time world champion, five-time All England winner and the reigning Olympic badminton men's singles gold medalist. Lin, 28, had completed the "Super Grand Slam," having won all nine major titles in world badminton. In April, Lin was sidelined with a waist injury and had to withdraw from the semifinals of the Badminton Asia Championships.

The injury won't affect his entry to the Olympics, as he has already qualified. China's "Super Dan" is on a mission for a second Olympic title in the midst of what some have dubbed "Lin-Danity." BBC SPORT | Olympics | Team GB's roll of honour Team GB's roll of honour Great Britain's medallists from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 19 golds, 13 silvers, 15 bronzes. GOLD MEDALLISTS Age 25, born Swansea Cycling, Women's road race How she did it - Cooke, who finished fifth in 2004, won a thrilling sprint finish after hitting the front with four others in the gruelling 126km race. The 25-year-old was grateful for the pace-making efforts of team-mate Emma Pooley. What they said - "I came over the line and there was so much... I was just so happy and there were so many emotions coming out all at once. I made so much noise because I guess that's just the person I am." Nicole Cooke "It was mature and astute. She's become her own person.

Call it a coming of age." Chris Boardman, 1992 gold medallist and adviser to Team GB Age 19, born Mansfield Swimming, 400m and 800m freestyle How she did it - Adlington produced an astonishing finish in the 400m freestyle to pip American Katie Hoff by seven 100ths of a second - the length of a fingernail. The teenager then blew away the opposition - shattering the world record in the process - in her favourite event, the 800m, to become Britain's most successful swimmer of the last 100 years. What they said - "I absolutely can't believe that has happened." Adlington after winning the 800m "When we did our Olympic send-off I promised her a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes if she brought back gold, so it looks like I might have to eat my words now.

She has raised the profile of Mansfield and as an individual she is remarkable." Mayor of Mansfield Tony Eggington JAMIE STAFF, JASON KENNY, CHRIS HOY Track cycling, Men's team sprint How they did it - Britain's track cycling team began a velodrome gold rush with victory in the first final. GB had lost to France at the last three World Championships but comfortably saw off their rivals by 0.523 seconds. What they said - "The French have been so dominant. To stick half a second into them, it's amazing." Jamie Staff "Our friendship has been so dominant in the last few years. As part of a team, you can't let anyone down." Chris Hoy TOM JAMES, STEVE WILLIAMS, PETE REED, ANDY HODGE Rowing, Men's coxless four How they did it - Incredibly, injuries to Hodge and James meant Britain's first-choice four had never raced together competitively before they arrived in Beijing. But after dominating their semi-final, they produced a late surge in the final to overtake Australia and keep up Britain's proud tradition in the coxless four.

What they said - "I haven't won any international races before but we knew beforehand we could do it." Tom James "[Coach] Jurgen Grobler kept telling us no one could beat us but sometimes it was hard to believe him." Steve Williams "We were on the ropes and we put together the best finish we've ever had." Pete Reed "I've never been in that pain in my entire life." Andy Hodge Age 28, born Ghent, Belgium Cycling, Men's individual pursuit How he did it - 'Wiggo' fully lived up to his status as pre-race favourite. The 28-year-old defending champion produced a peerless ride in the final to thrash New Zealand's Hayden Roulston by three seconds. What they said - "I had to play it safe, I couldn't play silly beggars and go chasing world records." Bradley Wiggins "When he saw that Chris Boardman race [in 1992] he said 'I'm going to win an Olympic gold medal'. And he did.

I wish I'd had a bet on him." Wiggins's mum Linda Age 32, born Edinburgh Cycling, Men's keirin How he did it - The 'Real McHoy' collected his second gold of the Games, his raw power in the final lap proving far too much for his rivals. Hoy had only taken up the event in 2007 when the kilometre time-trial - at which he won gold in Athens four years ago - was dropped from the Olympics. What they said - "After the 'Kilo' was dropped, there were parts of me thinking that it could be the end of my individual career, but to come back to win a different event altogether is just fantastic, it really is." Chris Hoy "You are now Scotland's greatest Olympian." British Olympic Association chairman Sir Craig Reedie to Hoy on the podium SARAH AYTON, SARAH WEBB, PIPPA WILSON Sailing, Yngling How they did it - The triumphant 2004 Yngling crew lost Shirley Robertson but Pippa Wilson stepped in and the 'three blondes in a boat' won the final race in atrocious conditions to beat the Dutch by nine points.

What they said - "We know we're the best." Sarah Ayton "Our experience was everything, we stayed sure and we got better." Sarah Webb "We've been happy to come out here in any conditions and today we proved that." Pippa Wilson ZAC PURCHASE, MARK HUNTER Rowing, Lightweight men's double sculls How they did it - The hot favourites for gold came into the Olympic regatta unbeaten this season. They held off Greece in the final to win Great Britain's first lightweight rowing gold. What they said - "I'm in a bit of a daze. National anthem, flag - it's a dream come true." Mark Hunter "The last 10 years have come down to six minutes of hell, but it's all worth it." Zac Purchase Age 31, born Macclesfield Sailing, Finn How he did it - Hot favourite Ainslie made it three gold medals in three Games to become Britain's most successful Olympic sailor. Leading going into the medal race, the 31-year-old only needed to finish six places behind closest rival Zach Railey - but still won the race anyway. What they said - "To me, that's what sport is about.

It's those pressure moments. That's what I love about competing." Ben Ainslie "Everyone in sailing knows he's a legend. He's so young still and he has yet to do more. I wouldn't be surprised if he surpassed Sir Steve Redgrave. In my lifetime, he's the most special sailor we've seen." Two-time Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson Age 28, born Carshalton Cycling, Women's individual pursuit How she did it - After winning a silver medal in rowing in 2004. she switched to cycling two years ago and claimed gold by beating team-mate Wendy Houvenaghel in the 3,000m. What they said - "I haven't got the reaction that I'd imagined that I'd have... but it's magical. It's been so hard. I can't explain what I've had to go through. " Rebecca Romero "She did say she might like to try something a bit more glamorous, like beach volleyball [in the run-up to London 2012].

But I must stress that was definitely a joke." Rebecca Romero's mother BRADLEY WIGGINS/PAUL MANNING/GERAINT THOMAS/ED CLANCY Track cycling, Men's team pursuit How they did it - The favourites even surprised themselves as they clocked the new world record of three minutes, 53.314 seconds as they beat Denmark in the final. What they said - "We were just rattling around, it was so smooth, it felt easy to be honest. We knew it was fast but 3:53.314 ï¿½ we just can't believe it.

That's going to go down in history, that time won't be broken in a long time, we're the best team in the world." Geraint Thomas "We've got a young dynamic team and we haven't even started yet." Britain's cycling coach Dan Hunt Age 24, born London Athletics - Women's 400 metres How she did it - Ohuruogu looked beaten down the final straight but her strength and stamina saw her overhaul her fading rivals in dramatic fashion as she added the Olympic title to her 2007 world crown, having previously been banned for a year for missing three out of competition drug tests. What they said - "I don't really care what people think or say, they can say what they like. I have come here and got what I wanted and I'm happy." Christine Ohuruogu "She's level-headed and surrounded by good people - she will keep her feet on the ground.

She has had her trials and tribulations and she knows how to treat it." Bob Smith, chairman of Newham and Essex Beagles Athletic Club Age 32, born Edinburgh Cycling, Men's sprint How he did it - The man the rest of the team hold in awe, Hoy beat team-mate and rising star Jason Kenny to become the first Briton in a 100 years to win three golds at an Olympics. The Scot with tree trunks for thighs just had too much power for Kenny. What they said - "An inspiration to the British cycling team and an inspiration to British sport in general. Chris Hoy for Superman? Yes!" Victoria Pendleton "It's like he has swallowed a motorbike." Dutch rival Theo Bos "Chris's performances at the Beijing Olympics were simply outstanding and he deserves every recognition. I can think of no better way of marking his historic success than by naming Scotland's only world-class track cycling facility after him." Glasgow City council leader Steven Purcell on naming the velodrome for the 2014 Commonwealth Games after Hoy Age 27, born Hitchin Cycling, Women's sprint How she did it - Now known as Queen Victoria.

The pressure was on for her to win gold in the only event she was competing in at the velodrome, but you could not tell. She blitzed her rivals in commanding style to win the gold she craved. What they said - "I've wanted this so badly. I'd beaten everyone in the field so there was a lot pressure on me to win a medal - I'm 'the golden girl of the track'. Victoria Pendleton "I'm paid to win gold medals. Let's win 'em all." Dave Brailsford, Britain's cycling performance director IAIN PERCY, ANDREW SIMPSON Sailing, Star class How they did it - Percy and "Bart" Simpson trailed Sweden by two points at the start of the double-points medal race and needed to finish ahead of their rivals to snatch the gold. The Brits produced an outstanding display to come home in fifth, five places ahead of the Swedes, in a nail-biting encounter. What they said - "I felt good this morning. I knew we could do it. I knew we weren't going to bottle it and we didn't.

It's been a killer four years and it feels great to put it behind us." Iain Percy "I'm shocked and to do this after the week and year we've had is unbelievable. Words can't describe how happy we are. There's never certainty but since last year we focused on nothing else but this week. I made a few little mistakes today but we pulled it back and luckily it came good for us." Andrew Simpson Age 22, born Hammersmith Boxing middleweight How he did it - Fighting Cuba's Emilio Correa in the final, DeGale went 6-1 ahead when Correa was penalised two points for biting. The lead was reduced to two in the final tense moments but DeGale hung on. What they said - " He was tough, horrible and strong throughout the bout. But I'm Olympic champion, it's unbelievable." James DeGale "That was painful. I thought the referee had lost the plot, but you have to do what you have to do and James was going to win that whatever way it took.

We've delivered for UK Sport, now UK Sport have got to deliver for us." Team GB coach Terry Edwards Age 25, born London Road cycling, Women's time trial How she did it - The rider, who lives in Switzerland, went out fifth and set a blistering pace, to record a time of 35:16 over the hilly 23.5-km course. She led for much of the race, until Kristin Armstrong of the US posted a late time of 34 minutes 51.72 seconds to win gold. What they said - "I just concentrated on riding as fast as I could, being absolutely smooth and enjoying myself without anyone to push me off. It helps being positive-nervous, because you've been waiting four years for this." Emma Pooley Age 25, born Newmarket Cycling, Men's keirin How he did it - It was always going to be a scrap for the other medals with Chris Hoy in action, but Edgar put in a fabulous performance after missing out on selection for the sprint line-up. He timed his late burst superbly to beat Japan's Kiyofumi Nagai on the line.

What they said - "The team sprint was hard to watch, the guys put in a phenomenal ride. It was a shame I couldn't be part of team but I'm delighted today, I can't put it into words." Ross Edgar "It's fantastic for him. He's such a high-calibre rider, so for him to pick up a silver in this, not being a member of our team sprint, it's a sign of the times of how strong this Great Britain team is." Chris Hoy KATHERINE GRAINGER/ANNIE VERNON/DEBBIE FLOOD/FRANCES HOUGHTON Rowing, Women's quadruple sculls How they did it - They were bidding for GB's first women's rowing gold, and despite a phenomenal effort at the end, it wasn't enough to see off the Chinese. It was an agonising third successive silver for Grainger. What they said - "I believe if we did it again we could do it. I want to go back to the start and try again. We let it slip away at the end. It was 100% from everyone but we didn't quite get it right." Katherine Grainger "I'm absolutely gutted for them.

They really deserved to win, I'm gutted for all of them." Former rower Rebecca Romero ALEX PARTRIDGE/TOM STALLARD/TOM LUCY/RICHARD EGINGTON/JOSH WEST/ALASTAIR HEATHCOTE/MATT LANGRIDGE/COLIN SMITH/ACER NETHERCOTT Rowing, Men's eights How they did it - Four years after a punctured lung forced him out of the four, Alex Partridge lined up with his team-mates and pushed the Canadians all the way in a stunning race, but just didn't have enough at the end. It was close though. What they said - "It came down to great force and a gutsy performance. Unfortunately it wasn't quite there to beat them. I'm disappointed." Alastair Heathcote Age 33, born Magherafelt, Northern Ireland Cycling, Women's individual pursuit How she did it - She was up against team-mate Rebecca Romero, but Houvenaghel barely got a look-in over the 12 laps finishing nearly two seconds behind in a time of three minutes 30 seconds. What they said - "I gave everything I had to push Rebecca all the way.

I have done that, and I am very proud. To be standing on the podium at the Olympics is a great achievement." Wendy Houvenaghel JOE GLANFIELD, NICK ROGERS Sailing, Men's 470 class How they did it - It was a poor start for the British duo, but they hit back with a fantastic effort to finish the final race in third place, enough to take second overall behind Australia. What they said - "That was the most intense race I've done for so long. We came through and I'm really pleased" Nick Rogers Age 20, born Bolton Cycling, Men's sprint How he did it - It was a tall order going up against fellow Brit Chris Hoy but the 20-year-old still managed to push the Scot all the way - only losing the opening race by half a wheel's length. Hoy cruised the second race, but Kenny's time will come. What they said - "You turn up at the Olympics and finish second and you think - you know, I'm really very good!" Jason Kenny "Kenny has come through the ranks and he is the man who will win at London 2012.

Beating him was really tough - it was probably the hardest race of my life." Chris Hoy Age 25, born Plymouth Modern pentathlon How she did it - A decent shoot, followed by a strong performance in the fencing and a season's best in the 200m swim put Fell in second place - a solid show jumping followed and although she made up 10 seconds on winner Lena Schoneborn on the final 3,000m, gold was just beyond her. What they said - "I had some luck - you have to for five events to go so well. The crowd helped so much and it has been a great day. For two Brits to finish in the top seven (Katy Livingston) in our first Olympics shows how strong we are." Heather Fell Age 37, born Rustington Equestrian, Women's individual eventing How she did it - When lying in joint sixth heading into the final show-jumping stage on Miners Frolic, Cook put in a clear round which saw her briefly occupy top spot. It was an anxious wait watching six riders follow her around the jumps, but four of them dislodged fences which elevated her to third. What they said - "I can't speak.

It is unbelievable, like a dream come true." Tina Cook WILLIAM FOX-PITT/SHARON HUNT/DAISY DICK/MARY KING/TINA COOK Equestrian, Team eventing How they did it - The British team began the final day 11.70 points behind top-placed Australia, but struggled to push for the top medals, despite a fine effort and clear round from Tina Cook. What they said - "I'm so excited. The way he has jumped feels great. The horse is really young and I'm really pleased with him as he has never seen anything like this before." Tina Cook on her 10-year-old mount Miners Frolic ELISE LAVERICK/ANNA BEBINGTON Rowing, Women's double sculls How they did it - It was a second successive bronze for Laverick in the double sculls, after her efforts in Athens four years ago. But it was still a great achievement with Laverick fighting back to fitness after being the victim of a hit-and-run' accident in 2005. They were edged out of the top two spots by the New Zealand and German boats.

What they said - "We left it with too much to do but - in Anna's first final - we were nearly there. I said I was going to stop after this but now who knows?" Elise Laverick MATTHEW WELLS/STEPHEN ROWBOTHAM Rowing, Men's double sculls How they did it - It was a fabulous effort from the British pair who just missed out on silver by 0.05 seconds. They had been firing in second place behind Australia's David Crawshay and Scott Brennan but were passed by Estonia in the last few metres. What they said - "It was very disappointing not to get the gold, extremely disappointing not to get the silver but you never pass up an Olympic medal.

I'm just delighted." Stephen Rowbotham "In that last couple of strokes I thought we had it but I'm really pleased to have come away with something." Matthew Wells Age 34, born Middlesbrough Cycling, Men's points race How he did it - It was always going to be tough facing the Sydney 2000 champion and Athens 2004 silver medallist Joan Llanares, but there was a chance for silver as Newton battled German Roger Kluge with nine laps left and one sprint. Newton faded with the finish in sight to end on 56 points. What they said - "It was hard out there. I was very calm before the race. I didn't think I was ready for it, but as soon as I pulled on a skinsuit something kicked in." Chris Newton Age 21, born Plymouth Swimming, Women's 10km marathon How she did it - It was one almighty battle for Patten and team-mate Keri-Anne Payne as they struggled to contend with the efforts of Larisa Ilchenko. The Russian sat on the feet of the leading Brits but then made a late surge before edging past in the final few metres.

What they said - "Every part of your body is hurting. Your stomach is the size of a pea, because all the blood rushes to your arms, your body is saying stop but your head is saying come on keep going." Cassie Patten Age 23, Sunderland Boxing, Light heavyweight (75-81kg) How he did it - Following a bye in the first round, Jeffries made the last eight after coming through a messy encounter with Colombia's Eleider Alvarez on a count back. He then dispatched Hungary's Imre Szello 10-2 to reach the semi-final where he was outclassed by Ireland's Kenny Egan. What they said - "Before I came here I would have been happy to get a medal but now I feel absolutely gutted. I felt brilliant in the warm-up but on the day he boxed brilliantly. I don't think I boxed that badly but he upped his game. Kenny was the better fighter on the night and he beat me fair and square." Tony Jeffries Age 25, Liverpool Boxing, Super heavyweight (91kg+) How he did it - Price stopped the favourite for the gold, Russia's Islam Timurziev, in the second round of his opening contest.

He was beating Jaroslav Jaksto 3-1 in their quarter-final before the Lithuanian was forced to retire in the second round. But Italy's Roberto Cammarelle was too powerful in the semi-final and stopped Price in round two. What they said - "I feel like all the good work I've put in here has just gone down the pan. He caught me cold in the first round and he surprised me. The best man won on the night. No-one can take my medal away from me and it's been a fantastic journey up until today. I'll sit down and have a think about what to do next. I might return in 2012 - but it might be in synchronised swimming after that." David Price From the 5 Rings, 25 Athletes to Watch - The New York Times The New York Times Olympics |From the 5 Rings, 25 Athletes to Watch Search Continue reading the main story LONDON — It has been 100 years since Baron Pierre de Coubertin designed the interlocking Olympic rings. Coubertin, the driving force behind the modern Games, chose five rings to represent the five areas of the world that were behind his strengthening movement.

A century later, Coubertin’s handiwork is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world, and those five continental zones remain a handy way to divide up the talent that will be competing in 26 sports at the London Olympics. And so, in keeping with Coubertin’s theme, herewith five from each ring, some world famous, some not quite yet, but all worth following over the next 17 days and nights. Europe CHRIS HOY (Britain) track cycling; age: 36 Claims to fame: In Beijing, the Real McHoy (that’s his nickname) became the first British athlete to win three gold medals in the same Olympics since 1908, when the swimmer Henry Taylor had his way with the distance freestyle events. Hoy, a Scot, was knighted for his efforts and will carry the flag for the British team in the Opening Ceremony. Continue reading the main story Talking points: Hoy’s interest in cycling started at age 6 when he watched Steven Spielberg’s film “E.T.,” in which a bicycle takes flight with some extraterrestrial help.

Hoy has yet to duplicate that trick, but, with five Olympic medals, he is the most successful Scottish Olympian of all time. Advertisement Best guess for London: Gold in keirin; silver in the team sprint after being bumped from the individual sprint. KATIE TAYLOR (Ireland) boxing; 26 Claims to fame: Taylor has won four consecutive world titles as a lightweight Talking points: In a different era, Taylor might not have been a boxer, but she would surely have been a great athlete. She has played on Ireland’s national women’s soccer team and has also played Gaelic football at the club level. But with women’s boxing making its Olympic debut in London, she is well placed to become Ireland’s first Olympic gold medalist in any sport since 1996. Best guess for London: Gold, and a record crowd at the Dublin airport when she returns home. YELENA ISINBAYEVA (Russia) pole vault; 30 Claims to fame: Isinbayeva has set 28 world records indoors and outdoors, and set world records when she won the Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2008.

Talking points: A former gymnast, Isinbayeva transformed herself into one of the world’s biggest female sports stars by taking the women’s pole vault to a new technical (and vertical) level. She spends plenty of her competitions wrapped in towels, blocking out distractions as others attempt heights that are usually beneath her. But since Beijing, when the towels have come off, she has usually faltered, unable to clear a height at the 2009 world championships and, after a sabbatical, finishing sixth at the 2011 world championships. Best guess for London: Silver, nerves getting to her. ROGER FEDERER (Switzerland) tennis; 30 Claims to fame: Graceful men’s singles player who is widely considered the greatest of the Open era, which began in 1968. Just won his 17th Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon. Talking points: Despite his record-breaking career, Federer surprisingly still lacks two of tennis’s major prizes: the Davis Cup, which is the game’s premier team event, and the Olympic singles title.

Federer does, however, have an Olympic gold medal, which he won in doubles in 2008 with Stanislas Wawrinka. Advertisement Best guess for London: Gold in singles, no medal in doubles. TEDDY RINER (France) judo; 23 Claims to fame: Riner, a force of nature, started early for a judoka. He won his first world title at 19 and has now won five in the open-weight or heavyweight divisions. Talking points: Born on the French island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, Riner is nicknamed Teddy Bear, which proves that the judo community has a sense of humor. He is more than 2 meters, or 6 feet, 7 inches, tall and weighs 135 kilograms, or 300 pounds, and possesses the agility of a smaller man. But Teddy Bear does not yet possess an Olympic gold medal. Photo Sally Pearson of Australia was silver medalist in the 100-meter hurdles in Beijing and won the world title last year. Credit Yoan Valat/European Pressphoto Agency Best guess for London: De l’or (gold).

The Americas USAIN BOLT (Jamaica) track; 25 Claims to fame: Larger and faster than life, Bolt was true to his name at the 2008 Olympics. He smashed world records in the 100 and 200 meters and became a global brand with three gold medals and more runway poses than a catwalk model. Talking points: At 25, Bolt should be in his prime, but trouble has come from within his mind, his body and his camp, as training partner Yohan Blake has become a legitimate challenger. With Blake in the next lane, Bolt false-started at the world championships last year and was disqualified from the 100 that Blake eventually won. Blake beat him again in the 100 and 200 at the Jamaican trials this year. If Bolt’s hamstring really, truly is not right, there may be a dearth of poses in London. Best guess for London: Silvers in the 100 and 200 and then a relay gold. MISSY FRANKLIN (United States) swimming; 17 Claims to fame: Won five medals, three of them gold, in her first world long-course championships last year.

She is planning a Spitzian schedule of seven events in London, more than any American female swimmer has attempted at an Olympics. Talking points: Although raised in Denver, Franklin could have represented Canada, where both her parents were born. But the tall, extroverted Franklin chose to represent the country with the deepest pool of talent in the world. She has turned down sponsorship contracts and prize money to retain the possibility of a U.S. university scholarship. Best guess for London: Three golds, two silvers. LARISSA FRANÇA/JULIANA FELISBERTA DA SILVA (Brazil) beach volleyball; 30 and 29 Advertisement Continue reading the main story Claims to fame: After two silver medals and a bronze medal, França and Da Silva finally won the women’s world title in Rome last year. To make it sweeter, they defeated the Americans Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor, the most successful women’s team in the history of the sport. Talking points: Beach volleyball has a central location on Horse Guard’s Parade near Buckingham Palace and No. 10 Downing Street. Despite rules changes that permit more conservative dress, it still has a bikini-driven reputation.

“I’m not going to cut down the trees at No. 10 so I can get a better view, though there is an enormous temptation,” joked British prime minister David Cameron. But França and Silva view their sport as combat. Silva likes to watch war movies for motivation and they both were inspired by tales of gladiators in Rome last year. Best guess for London: Gold. ASHTON EATON (United States) decathlon; 24 Claims to fame: Long considered the decathlon’s next big thing, he now is that big thing, after breaking the world record with 9,039 points at the U.S. Trials. Talking points: Eaton was raised by a single mother in the American track-and-field heartland of Oregon. He tried football, a sport his maternal grandfather played at Michigan State but chose track and field and the University of Oregon. Eaton is the best long jumper and fastest sprinter in decathlon history, and he has improved rapidly in the pole vault and throwing events. He trains with his fiancée, the Canadian heptathlete Brianne Theisen, under the veteran coach Harry Marra. Best guess for London: Gold but no world record.

LUCIANA AYMAR (Argentina) field hockey; 34 Claims to fame: The creative, dynamic midfield force behind the success of Las Leonas, Argentina’s women’s field hockey team. The Lionesses have won five Champions Trophies, two World Cups and three Olympic medals. Talking points: Aymar, nicknamed “La Maga,” or the Magician, for her dribbling prowess, was named Argentina’s flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony ahead of more visible global stars like the tennis player Juan Martín del Potro. “It’s a beautiful recognition for my career and what I helped to make happen in our totally amateur sport that went from being almost totally ignored to what it is today,” she told the Argentine newspaper Clarín. What she still lacks is the Olympic gold medal. This, she insists, will be her last chance and the gold-medal game will be played on her 35th birthday. Best guess for London: Silver.

Oceania JAMES MAGNUSSEN (Australia) swimming; 21 Claims to fame: In a country where swimming remains deeply connected to the national identity, Magnussen became a breakout star last year by swimming a sensational leg for Australia in the 400-freestyle relay at the world championships. He was so little known then that people were congratulating his teammate James Roberts for the leg instead. Four days later, Magnussen became the first Australian man to win the 100 meters at the world championships. His time of 47.10 seconds this year is the fastest ever in a textile swim suit, the only type now allowed. Talking points: From Sydney, like the former Australian swimming star Ian Thorpe, Magnussen is nicknamed “The Missile” and takes a direct line in interviews, too. Confidence is not an issue, and he has made it clear that he is aiming at the world record of 46.91 in London. That was set by César Cielo of Brazil when polyurethane suits were legal. When they were banned, the consensus was that the suit-aided sprint records would stand for generations. Then along came Magnussen.

Advertisement Best guess for London: Gold in the 100 and 4-x-100 free, and bronze in the 50 and medley relay. ANNA MEARES (Australia) track cycling; 28 Photo Ashton Eaton of the United States set the world decathlon record, with 9,039 points, at the U.S. trials in Eugene, Oregon in June. Credit John G. Mabanglo/European Pressphoto Agency Claims to fame: Meares won gold in the 500-meter time trial at the 2004 Olympics, but her greater achievement was winning a silver medal in the sprint in 2008 after breaking her neck earlier that season in a crash during a race. Talking points: Meares is popular enough in Australia that she won a People’s Choice Award as cyclist of the year in 2011 in the same year her compatriot Cadel Evans won the Tour de France . Meares is less a crowd darling in Britain, where her long-running rivalry with Victoria Pendleton has an edge. “There’s definitely no love lost there,” Pendleton said in a BBC documentary this month.

Best guess for London: Gold in the individual sprint and keirin, silver in the team pursuit. VALERIE ADAMS (New Zealand) shot put; 27 Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up Privacy Policy Claims to fame: Adams, who stands an imposing 1.93 meters, is the defending Olympic champion and three-time defending world champion. Talking points: Daughter of a Tongan mother and an English father, Adams has had her share of private pain. Her mother died when Adams was in her teens. She watched the 2000 Sydney Games while at her mother’s bedside and decided the Olympics were in her future. Divorced in 2010, she has shifted her training base to Switzerland. Best guess for London: Gold. SALLY PEARSON (Australia) hurdles; 25 Claim to fame: A silver medalist in Beijing as Sally McLellan, she is now the undisputed leader in the 100-meter hurdles after recording a flashy time of 12.28 seconds in winning the world championships last year in South Korea.

Talking points: Pearson has also been Australia’s fastest 100-meter sprinter, but her elegant hurdling technique is what makes her a world beater. Next target: Yordanka Donkova’s world record of 12.21 seconds, which has stood since 1988. Best guess for London: Gold. MAHÉ DRYSDALE (New Zealand) rowing; 33; Claims to fame: A five-time world champion in single sculls (one rower, two oars, countless drops of sweat). Advertisement Continue reading the main story Talking points: Named for Mahé, an island in the Seychelles, Drysdale was inspired to make a push for the Olympics after watching the New Zealander Rob Waddell win gold in single sculls at the 2000 Games in Sydney. By 2008, Drysdale was the favorite, but a gastrointestinal illness weakened him and he was left vomiting in the water in China after finishing third. “I’d give back all five of my world titles for one Olympic gold,” he told the New Zealand web site stuff.co.nz this year. Best guess for London: Gold.

Asia SUN YANG (China) swimming; 20 Claims to fame: Already the best male Chinese swimmer in history, Sun won the 1,500 meters at last year’s world championships in Shanghai and finished second in the 400. In the 1,500, he broke the Australian star Grant Hackett’s world record, the oldest remaining in the men’s Olympic distances, with a time of 14 minutes, 34.14 seconds. Talking points: No Chinese man has won an Olympic gold medal in swimming. Sun, a towering presence with a high tolerance for brutal training sets, trains regularly with Chinese teammates in Gold Coast, Australia. The reason? Denis Cotterell, the Australian distance freestyle guru who once coached Hackett. They communicate in a mix of English and Mandarin and with the occasional help of a translator. Best guess for London: Two golds. LIU XIANG (China) hurdles; 29 Claims to fame: In Athens in 2004, Liu became the first Chinese man to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field.

He then won the 110-meter hurdles at the 2007 world championships and has also held the world-record before Dayron Robles of Cuba lowered it to 12.87 seconds. Talking points: The face of the Beijing Games despite hailing from Shanghai, Liu lost face by withdrawing with an injury in the first round. But he has a chance for redemption in London after breaking 13 seconds again this year. China will be watching (again). Best guess for London: Gold SAORI YOSHIDA (Japan) wrestling; 29 Claims to fame: One of the most dominant athletes in any sport, Yoshida won Olympic gold when women’s wrestling became part of the Games in 2004 and defended that title in 2008. She has won nine consecutive world titles in the 55-kilogram class. Talking points: Yoshida’s father, Eikatsu Yoshida, was a national champion wrestler in Japan, but his daughter, who took up the sport at age 3, is now the most successful wrestler in her family. She has lost just twice since 2001 and never in a global championship. Her most recent defeat was troubling, however.

It came in a World Cup meet in May to the Russian teenager Valeria Zholobova. She later explained that she had been diagnosed with anemia. Photo The shot-putter Valerie Adams of New Zealand is the defending women’s Olympic champion and three-time defending world champion. Credit Alessandro Di Meo/European Pressphoto Agency Best guess for London: Gold. LEE CHONG WEI (Malaysia) badminton; 29 Claims to fame: Lee was No.1 in the men’s singles rankings for most of the past four years but remains in the shadow of Lin Dan, the Chinese badminton megastar. Lee took silver behind Lin at the 2008 Olympics, becoming the first Malaysian to win an Olympic medal since 1996. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Talking points: Given the Malaysian honorific “Datuk” after his medal in Beijing, which should make him feel right at home in an Olympic host nation where knighthood still exists. This looks like Lee’s last chance to win a major title. The new round-robin format could allow him time to find his form after an ankle injury in May. Best guess for London: Silver.

DEEPIKA KUMARI (India) archery; 18 Claim to fame: In a country where modest international sports success at an early age can bring big attention (see tennis player Sania Mirza), Kumari made her move at age 15 in 2009 by winning the youth archery title. She is now the No.1 ranked women’s archer in the recurve category in a sport long dominated by South Korea. Talking points: Kumari was born in Ratu Chatti, a small village in northeastern India. Her father is an auto rickshaw driver and her mother a nurse. Neither was an archer, but Kumrai’s cousin trained at the sport and her talent was eventually spotted by a local academy. “My parents were conservative and were against it,” Kumari told the Times of India. But they have apparently changed their view now. Best guess for London: A bronze medal in the individual event. Africa CASTER SEMENYA (South Africa) track; 21 Claims to fame: She emerged from obscurity in Berlin in 2009 to win the world 800-meter title convincingly in 1 minute, 55.45 seconds.

She was not allowed to compete again for nearly a year while the sport’s governing body, the IAAF, conducted testing in an attempt to determine whether she should be allowed to participate as a female. Details of the eventual agreement have not been made public, but she was cleared and took second at last year’s world championships, albeit in a slower time than in 2009. Talking points: To prepare for London, Semenya hired a new coach: Maria Mutola, long the world’s leading 800-meter runner. Mutola, from neighboring Mozambique, participated in six Olympics, winning gold in 2000. Semenya will carry the flag for South Africa in the opening ceremony. Best guess for London: Silver. OSCAR PISTORIUS (South Africa) track; 25 Claims to fame: A star Paralympian, Pistorius is now a star Olympian after being included in South Africa’s team in the 400 meters and 4-by-400 meter relay pool.

Pistorius, a double amputee who runs on carbon-fiber blades, fought a long, draining legal battle with track and field’s governing body before receiving approval to compete against able-bodied athletes from the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He was eliminated in the semifinals of the 400 in last year’s world championships and ran a preliminary leg for the relay team that won a silver medal. Talking points: Plenty. Scientists and athletes continue to weigh in on whether Pistorius’s blades provide him an unfair advantage. Michael Johnson, the American who still holds the 400 world record, believes the uncertainty means he should not be allowed to compete. But Pistorius will be in a lane in the Olympic stadium on Aug. 4. Advertisement Best guess for London: Bronze in the 4-x-400 relay. VIVIAN CHERUIYOT (Kenya) track; 28 Claims to fame: Took on a new dimension by sweeping the 5,000 and 10,000 at the 2011 world championships in South Korea.

Talking points: Cheruiyot, just 1.55 meters tall and generally weighing under 40 kilograms in competition, is nicknamed “Pocket Rocket,” an allusion to her devastating kick. She will need it in full working order to become the first Kenyan woman to complete the Olympic distance double. Best guess for London: Gold in the 5-kilometer, silver in the 10-kilometer. GUOR MARIAL (South Sudan) marathon, 28 Claims to fame: Marial will be the only South Sudanese athlete competing at the Olympics, although he will not be able to compete under the new nation’s flag because it does not yet have a recognized National Olympic Committee. Talking points: After fleeing the civil war in Sudan, Marial lived in Egypt before being granted refugee status in the United States in 2001. He later competed in track and cross-country at Iowa State University, graduating last year. That was the same year he made the Olympic qualifying standard in the marathon. Though he was offered the chance to compete in the Olympics for Sudan, he rejected that compromise and chose to compete under the Olympic flag in London.

He told the Chicago Tribune that eight of his 10 brothers and sisters died during the war that eventually led to secession from Sudan last year. Best guess for London: No medal but plenty of interviews. KIRSTY COVENTRY (Zimbabwe) swimming; 28 Claims to fame: A total of seven Olympic medals from 2004 and 2008, including consecutive gold medals in the 200-meter backstroke. Talking points: Coventry, a white swimmer who grew up in Harare, has steered carefully clear of public debate over her country’s racially charged politics. “One day I plan to return to live in Zimbabwe, and I can do much more for the people there in the long term if I keep my position neutral,” she told the Sunday Telegraph in April. Her Olympic season has been disrupted by a coaching change, a dislocated kneecap and pneumonia. Her dominance in the 200 backstroke is gone, but Coventry, who resumed training in the United States, intends to swim a daunting schedule again in London. Best guess for London: No medals. A version of this article appears in print on July 27, 2012, in The International Herald Tribune.

Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe Bradley WIGGINS - Olympic Cycling Road, Cycling Track | Great Britain Bradley WIGGINS Olympic Games 2000 , 2004 , 2008 , 2012 , 2016 Great Britain’s medal-winning machine Excelling on road and track, Bradley Wiggins is Great Britain’s most decorated Olympian with eight medals, just ahead of fellow cyclists Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny. Wiggins stepped up to the podium at every Olympic Games from Sydney 2000 to Rio 2016, collecting five golds along the way. Big ambitions Born in Ghent (BEL), Bradley Wiggins is the son of late Australian cyclist Gary Wiggins, a successful six-day racer in the 1970s and 80s. Wiggins Jr moved to London with his British mother, Linda, when he was a boy and took up cycling, inspired by the sight of Chris Boardman winning individual pursuit gold at Barcelona 1992.

Wiggins, who competed in his first race at the age of 12, was so convinced of his abilities that he told one of his teachers: “I'm going to be Olympic champion. I'm going to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.” A first Olympic medal The ambitious young cyclist, who would later be mentored by Boardman, honed his skills at the Herne Hill Velodrome in London, which had been built for the 1948 Olympic Games, and specialised in the madison and the pursuit, an event in which he won the 1998 world junior title, at the age of 18. He then got his first taste of the Olympics at Sydney 2000, where he collected bronze in the team pursuit. A prophesy fulfilled Wiggins turned professional in 2001, riding for Française des Jeux and Crédit Agricole. Making his second Olympic appearance at Athens 2004, he proved himself a worthy successor to Boardman by winning a total of three medals: gold in the individual pursuit, silver in the team pursuit and bronze in the madison.

Following the Games, Wiggins decided to switch to the road, only to return to the track to win individual and team pursuit world titles in Palma de Mallorca (ESP) in 2007. A year later he appeared at his third Games in Beijing, where he became the first rider ever to retain the individual pursuit title. He went on to win the team pursuit crown, with the GB four beating Denmark by 6.7 seconds in the gold medal match and setting a new world record of 3:53.314 in the process. Now the proud owner of six Olympic medals, three of them gold, Wiggins had pulled level with Steve Redgrave as his country’s most successful Olympian of all time. Taking on the Tour Turning his attention back to the road, Wiggins came close to Tour de France glory in 2009, taking third place on the podium. He was not so fortunate in the 2011 race, when he had to retire after breaking a collarbone. The following year would be an entirely different story for the British rider, however, as he tasted both Tour and Olympic glory in the space of a few short weeks.

Annus mirabilis After donning the yellow shirt for the first time on stage seven of the 2012 Tour de France, Wiggins stayed in it all the way to the finish line on the Champs Elysées, becoming the first British cyclist ever to win the great event. That rare achievement made “Wiggo” as much of a hero with French cycling fans as it did with his compatriots. Famed for his dry wit, Wiggins then achieved a piece of sporting history a few weeks later at London 2012, where he took the honours in the individual time trial to become the first man to win the Tour de France and Olympic gold in the same year. Speaking after his magnificent victory on home tarmac, achieved by a margin of 42 seconds from Germany’s Tony Martin, Wiggins said: “It's been an amazing six weeks. This was the plan.

I've answered all the questions in the last six weeks.” More gold in Rio After being crowned a world road time trial champion for the first time in Ponferrada (ESP) in 2014, Wiggins then went back to the track with the aim of contesting his fifth Games at Rio 2016. His preparations included a successful attempt at the world hour record at the Lee Valley VeloPark in June 2015, with the British legend riding a new best of 54.526km. A seventh track world title – in the madison with Mark Cavendish – then came his way at the same venue in March 2016, and was followed by selection for the Olympic team pursuit in Rio. The British quartet of Ed Clancy, Steven Burke, Owain Doull and the 36-year-old Wiggins kicked off by setting a new world record of 3:50.570 in the first round before going for gold against a determined Australian four in the final.

Though the Aussies bettered Great Britain’s gold medal winning time at London 2012, they were no match for the class of 2016, who eclipsed their own world record with a time of 3:50.265, equating to an average of 62.356 km/h over the four-kilometre standing-start race. As irreverent as ever, Wiggins stuck his tongue out on the podium, much to the amusement of his team-mates, and raised the fingers on his right hand to signify his five golds and five Olympic appearances. BBC SPORT | Olympics | Cycling | Hoy clinches historic third gold Hoy clinches historic third gold Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Video - Third gold for Hoy British cyclist Chris Hoy clinched a hat-trick of gold medals as he beat team-mate Jason Kenny in the sprint. The 32-year-old becomes the first Briton in 100 years to win three golds at the same Olympics, after his earlier success in the team sprint and keirin.

The Scot was pushed to the limit in the first race by his 20-year-old opponent, edging the opening duel in the best-of-three by half a wheel's length. Hoy dominated the second race, giving a victory salute as he crossed the line. "I cannot tell you how it feels - it is amazing," Hoy told BBC Sport. OLYMPICS BLOG It's an unbelievable feeling to achieve the absolute maximum you possibly can. Chris Hoy "When you cross the line, all the pressure that has built up, the expectation and the self doubt evaporates just like that. "When you want something that much and the hours you put in, it is an amazing feeling when you achieve it." Hoy becomes only the second Briton to win three golds at the same Games after swimmer Henry Taylor did likewise in London in 1908. And he added: "I was vaguely aware of the history, people tell you about it. But I tried to make it the furthest thought from my mind. "And that's why the emotions come out at the end.

You bottle it for so long that it just erupts at the end." Hoy has now won gold in four separate Olympic events - he won the now-defunct 1km time trial at Athens in 2004. Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Hoy credits Kenny for 'hardest race of my life' British cycling's performance director Dave Brailsford hailed Hoy as a "true Olympic athlete". "He's resilient and he does genuinely embody those Olympic values of fair play and working hard, and he is the real deal," said Brailsford. "He's a true gentleman and to me he embodies what a true Olympic athlete is meant to be." Kenny's silver adds to his impressive showing in his first Olympics, where he also picked up gold in the team sprint - alongside Hoy and Jamie Staff. Hoy was quick to pay tribute to Kenny, and tipped him to become the dominant force in cycling in the next few years. "Kenny has come through the ranks and he is the man who will win at London 2012," said Hoy. OLYMPICS BLOG

Question: At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, who became the first British man to win three gold medals at one Games since 1908?
Answer: Chris Hoy