Six to watch: International

Some athletes already have a heavy burden on their shoulders before any medals are handed out

KENENISA BEKELE

The diminutive 22-year-old Ethiopian could emerge as the single most glittering star on the track in Athens.

Already the double world cross-country champion, he broke the great Haile Gebrselassie's 5000m world record in Hengelo, the Netherlands, on May 31, clocking 12m 37.35s to eclipse the old mark of his mentor and fellow countryman by two seconds.

A few days later he shaved a couple of seconds off Gebreselassie's 10,000m world mark in the Czech Republic, with a time of 26m 20.31s.

Gebreselassie is generally regarded as the finest distance runner of the modern generation, winner of two Olympic golds, four world championship titles and 17 world records.

Eighteen months ago, Gebreselassie predicted that Bekele would outstrip his performances.

The pair, nine years apart in age, will square off in the 10,000m in Athens. Hero and protege, but there won't be any sentiment for the older man on the track.

"It will be me and Haile in the 10,000m," Bekele said. "All Ethiopians love Haile. But people now call out my name at home. So, if one of us wins the 10,000m in Athens the country will be happy. Of course, I hope it is me."

Destined to be the most eagerly-anticipated track event in Athens.

MICHAEL PHELPS

Phelps and Ian Thorpe seem sure to dominate the men's events in the pool in Athens.

They both hold three world records - Australian hero Thorpe in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle, Baltimore-born Phelps in the 200m butterfly and 200m and 400m individual medleys. All three of 19-year-old Phelps' times were set last year.

At the Sydney Games four years ago he became the youngest swimmer on an American Olympic team for 68 years, finishing fifth in the 200m butterfly.

Standing 1.87m and weighing 79kg, Phelps has entered eight events in Athens. He has set his sights on surpassing Mark Spitz's 1972 haul of seven Olympic golds.

He will compete in the 200m freestyle, 100m and 200m butterfly and 200m and 400m individual medley. He will also enter three relay races.

If he needs a financial incentive, eight golds will bring a US$1 million ($1.5 million) bonus from his sponsor Speedo.

It's not hard to see why the US expects big-time from Phelps in Athens.

At last year's world championships in Barcelona, he bagged six medals, including four golds and became the first person to break five individual world records at one meet - the 100m and 200m butterfly, the 200m individual medley twice and the 400m individual medley. He was also part of the record-breaking 4 x 100m medley relay.

Phelps was the youngest male, at 15 years and nine months, to break a world record, for the 200m butterfly in 2001.

There's a faint New Zealand connection; he has trained at Dunedin's Moana Pool, slipping in, going about his business, and departing with barely a ripple of attention last year. Expect more than a ripple in Athens.

TIM DUNCAN

Since the departure of Michael Jordan, Duncan has become The Man of NBA basketball, notwithstanding the higher-profile Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant at the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 28-year-old forward for the San Antonio Spurs consistently posts figures which sit among the best in the NBA. He's one of just five players to be in the all-time top five all-time for scoring, rebounding and blocks.

He was named MVP for both the regular season - the first back-to-back winner since Jordan 12 years ago - and the finals last year. In this year's playoffs, only three players averaged more than his 22.1 points per game.

At 2.13m and 117kg, Duncan stands out. Quick hands, an imposing presence and the all-important element of being a game-winner put him at the top of the NBA tree.

There will be other celebrated figures in the US team in Athens - star rookie LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers, Stephon Marbury from the New York Knicks and Tracey McGrady of the Orlando Magic, the last regular season's top scorer with an average 28 points per game.

But Duncan is the player who will stir the mix as the US aim for a fourth straight Olympic gold since NBA players were allowed into the Games.

SVETLANA KHORKINA

For 10 years, Khorkina has been among the finest gymnasts on the planet, and also the sport's greatest diva. Drama seems to follow the 1.65m, 25-year-old Muscovite.

She won her first significant title, gold on the uneven bars, her most proficient discipline, at the European championships in 1994 as a 15-year-old.

The last two Olympic golds in the same discipline sit in her back pocket and it's probable Athens will be her final bow.

Lows have followed highs like night following day for the temperamental Khorkina.

She would have won the all-around title in Atlanta in 1996 but for a fall on the bars, and, at Sydney four years ago she fell twice on the bars, costing her an all-around medal and Russia a team gold.


Tears and the camera are never far from the charismatic blonde, known for her unusual choreography and unique talents.

If she does win all-around gold in Athens she'll become the first non-teenager since 1968 to accomplish the feat. An ideal note on which to step aside.

KONSTANTINOS KENTERIS

EKATERINI THANOU

The athletes on whom Greece will be pinning their hopes for track glory on home soil.

For Cathy Freeman at Sydney four years ago, read 31-year-old Kenteris and 29-year-old Thanou.

Kenteris, who has had Greeks in turmoil over the past couple of days as to his whereabouts, pulled off a major surprise winning the 200m gold in Sydney, clocking 20.09s to pip Britain's Darren Campbell by .05s.

His personal best of 19.85s was in August 2002. In his final meet before the Games, Kenteris recorded an average 20.24s on July 4 in a Super Grand Prix meet in Athens. Kenteris does not compete as often as his main rivals.

Thanou is easily forgotten from Sydney as she finished second behind Marion Jones on the American's five-medal charge. She recorded 11.12s behind Jones' 10.25s.

Thanou's personal best is 10.83s five years ago.

Both athletes have been subject to speculation over whether they are entirely clean. They are infrequent competitors on the European circuit, fuelling rumours about their training methods. Even so, Thanou and Kenteris, with the emotional force of the nation behind them, will be genuine contenders to provide a golden touch for Greece.