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10 International Athletes To Follow

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By BILL WARD

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 5, 2008

While most of the coverage U.S. media will provide during the Beijing Games likely will focus on American athletes, who are expected to top the medal count, there's plenty of international athletes and stories that are equally compelling to fans of the Games. Here's a look at 10 non-U.S. athletes to look out for, as well as some compelling stories that should unfold in Beijing:

Yao Ming, China, Basketball

To many, the 7-foot-6 Yao is the face of these Beijing Games. Born in Shanghai, the Houston Rockets star will carry the weight of his nation's hopes to show the world it is no longer a minnow in the sports world. Coming off a stress fracture in his foot, Yao appears to be nearly recovered from the injury. With the respect he commands in China, his fluency in English and self-effacing humor, Yao could be the biggest star at these Games - and certainly the tallest.

Natalie Du Toit, South Africa, Open-Water Swimming

The 24-year-old Du Toit will become the first Paralympian - and first amputee - to compete in the Olympics when she races in the 10-kilometer open-water swim competition Aug. 10. Seven years ago, while training for a shot at the Olympics, Du Toit was hit by a car in Cape Town as she rode her scooter to school just after a practice. She had to have her lower left leg amputated, but she went on to win five gold medals and one silver medal in swimming at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. She then made the transition to open-water swimming and qualified for the Beijing Games by taking fourth at the Open Water World Championships in Seville, Spain.

Usain Bolt, Jamaica, Track & Field

Although fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell might be the better-known sprinter, Bolt - a k a "The Lightning Bolt" - stole Powell's thunder and his 100-meter world record earlier this year with a stunning time of 9.72 seconds. Standing 6-foot-4, Bolt towers over most of his competitors and he could take gold medals in both the 100 and 200. But at the relatively young age of 21, it remains to be seen if he can hold up to the pressure and all the rounds he'll have to face at the Olympic Games.

Libby Trickett, Australia, Swimming

Formerly Libby Lenton, she and husband Luke Trickett sold the exclusive coverage rights of their 2007 wedding to an Australian magazine and were still swarmed by paparazzi. She heads to Beijing under her married name and owning world records in the 50- and 100-meter freestyles. Also one of the world's top butterfly swimmers, Trickett could win three or more individual gold medals and even more as part of Aussie relay teams.

Ronaldinho, Brazil, Soccer

Already one of the world's most famous soccer players, the 28-year-old Ronaldinho could reach an even broader audience if he and his teammates can take home the gold medal at the Beijing Games. As one of Brazil's over-age players, he will carry the burden as a scorer and leader. But as a former FIFA World Player of the Year and a striker who tallied 70 goals in 145 games for his former club Barcelona, Ronaldinho is more than capable of living up to all expectations.

Dmitri Sautin, Russia, Diving

The 34-year-old Sautin has won an Olympic Games-record seven diving medals, and he is hoping to add to that total in Beijing. In 1991, his career was almost ended when he was repeatedly stabbed after getting into an argument with a man at a bus stop. He nearly bled to death and was in a hospital for two months prior to the Barcelona Games. His injuries have since included serious back, knee and wrist problems, but he is hoping to medal one more time this summer, either individually or in synchronized diving.

Susanna Kallur, Sweden, Track & Field

In 2007, Swedes voted Kallur their country's top sports figure, ahead of their national hockey team, which won the gold medal in Turin. As the daughter of former New York Islanders forward Anders Kallur, who lifted four Stanley Cups in his career, Susanna is something of Swedish sporting royalty. But her victory at the 2006 European Championships in the 100-meter hurdles and last year's indoor world championships proves she is a star in her own right.

Hiroshi Hoketsu, Japan, Equestrian

The 67-year-old Hoketsu should be the oldest athlete competing in Beijing. He is a competitor in the physically less-demanding event of dressage. He first took part in the Olympics at the 1964 Tokyo Games, where he took 40th in show jumping. He hasn't been back to the Olympics until now. A graduate of Duke, he might be retired but is heading to the Beijing Games with serious medal hopes. "I'm not just going to take part. I'm planning to finish high up," he said.

Ekaterina Karsten, Belarus, Rowing

The 36-year-old Karsten is attempting to become just the sixth woman in Olympic history to medal in at least five Summer Games. This time, she's favored to win single sculls. She started out competing for the Soviet Union in the 1992 Barcelona Games, then, in Atlanta four years later, became the newly formed Belarus' first Olympic medalist when she won the single sculls gold medal. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound Karsten defended her title at the Sydney Games and was the silver medalist in Athens.

Eko Irawan, Indonesia, Weightlifting

Competing in the 123-pound weight class, the hopes for Indonesia's first Olympic weightlifting gold medal rests on the shoulders of Irawan, its version of "Pocket Hercules." At last year's world championships, the 18-year-old won the bronze medal in clean and jerk (lifting 339 pounds) and, combining his fifth-place finish in snatch (273 pounds), was third overall. With bonuses he has received from the Indonesian government, Irawan plans to build his parents a new house and set them up in their own small business.

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