London Olympics 2012: Stars to watch out for

Missy Franklin, the rising star of the American swim team, is heading to her first Olympics, seemingly oblivious to the hype that awaits her and the weight of expectation she will lumber on her broad shoulders. The 17-year-old swam at the last Olympic trials four years ago but did not make the team. She returned to her Colorado home determined to do better next time and has emerged faster and tougher than before. Franklin learned to swim when she was five. A big kid with huge feet that work like flippers, she was a natural and quickly stormed up the age group charts. In 2010, she made her first senior national team for the Pan Pacific Championships but it was in 2011 that she showed why she has been marked for Olympic greatness. At the world championships in Shanghai, she won five medals, including three golds, and the cast was set. Franklin heads to London with the chance to become the first female swimmer to earn seven gold medals at a single Olympics. It was more than she expected but said the way she coped with it convinced her she could succeed in London.

There is no way you can see Don Bradman bat in the middle or Pele break into a dribble, but this summer you'll be able to see the most decorated champion in Olympic history - the owner of an astounding 14 Olympic gold medals, American swimming ace Michael Phelps. That alone is worth the ticket. Think of it as going to a concert conducted by Mozart or a play directed by Shakespeare.

The Australian was a triple gold medallist at Beijing and will be primed to add to her collection in London. Her swimming skills have never been in doubt, her tweeting skills, however, are questionable at best. In 2010 she was much-maligned on the social networking site after she tweeted a homophobic slur and had to make a tearful apology to get back in the good books of fans. She was at it again months later when she posted a picture of her wearing a police women's outfit. It's not all bad though, she keeps posting racy pictures in bikini's and lingerie from time to time. She's also had a slew of injuries over the past four years but is focussed to make the best of her time in the pool at London.

The double amputee will create history when he becomes the first athlete with prosthetic limbs to compete in the Olympics. Nicknamed Blade Runner because of his carbon-fibre limbs, Pistorius has been at the centre of a moral debate ever since the IOC banned his blades, called the Cheetah Flex-Foot, because critics felt it gave him an added advantage over the competition. Some reports said the Cheetah gave about a 10 second advantage over 400m. However, the CAS allowed him to compete, saying that while the springy, curved blades did have its advantage, it also had disadvantages.

Having broken her own world record only recently, Isinbayeva, the two-time Olympic champion showed she was still the undisputed queen of pole vaulting. The Russian, who has struggled with injury and loss of form in recent years, cleared the bar at 5.01 metres. Isinbayeva, 29, who was almost unbeatable from 2003 to 2009 but whose last major international title came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, will now be the overwhelming favourite to win a third Olympic crown in London. "This was my night, and my body answered 'yes'," she said. "I just jumped. I just enjoyed the competition, I enjoyed my performance." Isinbayeva failed to record a height in the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, came fourth in 2010 World Indoors and sixth in the 2011 World meet in Daegu. But Isinbayeva said that she was not afraid of the competition, saying if she comes into the Games in top form nobody can stop her.

The fastest man in the world could just as easily pass-off as the most laidback man on the planet. The Jamaican's trademark winning-without-working-up-a-sweat style is something that was thought to never be possible in a sprint race. Of course, it was also thought that human beings can't run 100m under 9.6s and 200m under 19.20s. Bolt changed all that. Will he break into his patented arms in the sky pose or will the competition catch up?

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic wasn't the only one enamoured by Paraguayan javelin thrower at the Beijing Olympics, we've had are our eyes on the former Miss Paraguay runner-up ever since. Her annual calendars have added to the jovial spirit of the festive season. When she attempts one of her throws many viewers have been known to collectively pray for her to stick the javelin directly into the turf and use it as a pole to break into a few impromptu spins. If only dreams came true!

The 22-year-old grew dreaming of playing cricket for the West Indies, he still occasionally plays T20 cricket where he considers himself to be a better pace bowler than his illustrious track rival Usain Bolt, however, it's on the track where Blake is quickly establishing himself as the Next Big Thing. Nicknamed The Beast for his unforgiving training regimen, Yohan Blake is the exact opposite to the seemingly laidback Bolt.

A Muhammad Ali fan, Mary Kom is easily India's best bet to win a gold medal at the London Olympics. Mary Kom recently beat Chinese opponent Ren Cancan to win a gold medal at the sixth Asian Women's Boxing Championship. Mary Kom won her world amateur titles at 46 and 48kg but the lightest of the three weight categories in London will be 51kg. Her defeat at the weight class in the 2010 Asian Games semi-finals was a wake-up call and she spent a month in Pune sparring with three heavier male boxers to prepare. She knows that the transition from the 48-kg weight category to 51 kg has its pitfalls. A game trier, she says will certainly make a fight out of it. A mother of two, the 29-year-old says that the Olympics will be tough as she has powerful opponents to box against in her new weight category.

He began by shattering beer bottles on the lawn and graduated to smashing ampoules with pellets from the air gun - a decade later Abhinav Bindra went on to become the first Indian to win a gold in the 10m air rifle event of the 2008 Games. Starved of significant Olympic success, Bindra feat at the Beijing Olympics has raised expectations of the world's second most populous nation. His fans have virtually taken a second Olympic medal for granted, but Bindra is not saddling himself with unnecessary pressure.

Saina Nehwal has struck stunning form at just the right time ahead of the 2012 London Games where she hopes to deliver India a first Olympic badminton medal. The world number five followed up victory in the Thailand Open with a third Indonesian Open triumph. In 2010, on home territory and once more with the aspirations of the country swirling around her, Nehwal won Commonwealth Games gold, surviving a match point against Malaysia's Wong Mew Choo. Nehwal was 18 at the Beijing Olympics where she reached the quarter-finals only to lose out in three sets to Indonesian Maria Kristin Yulianti. Despite her stellar June, a tough challenge lies ahead for Nehwal but the hope is constant as Wembley looms. "My dream is to win a medal for India in badminton," Nehwal says.

Named India's flag-bearer at London Olympics, Sushil Kumar won the bronze in the Men's 66kg Freestyle wrestling event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He is the second Indian after Kashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav to win a medal in the wrestling event. Hailing from a modest family in Delhi, Sushil Kumar came to the limelight after he won a bronze medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships in 2003 and then followed it up with gold at the 2004 Melbourne Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. He also won a gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

She thinks it may take India years to emulate China's sporting success, but the badminton doubles specialist hopes to bring her country a step closer to that goal by earning a medal at the London Olympics. Having beaten some of the formidable Chinese pairs earlier, Gutta and Ponnappa gives themselves a fair chance of winning a medal in the women's doubles and mixed doubles events at London. Ashwini started playing with Jwala only in 2009 but the pair soon achieved success, winning the Commonwealth Games gold and bronze in World Championship at Wimbley arena in London, the same venue where badminton events will be held during the London Olympics.

Vijender Singh, became the first Indian boxer to win a medal at the Olympics. At the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, he defeated Ecuadorian Carlos G00f3ngora in the quarterfinals to win a bronze for India. Vijender became the first Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympic Games for a third successive time after beating Chuluuntumur Tumurkhuyag of Mongolia. After the Beijing Olympics and the Milan World Championships Vijender was the top ranked boxer in the 75kg weight category, however injuries and a spate of poor performances has seen him drop out of the top 45.

Deepika, who won two gold medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and is touted to be a huge prospect for the country in the upcoming London Olympics 2012, is said to have accepted the job offer. Deepika, who has been training with the Tata Archery Academy for the past four years or so, has also won the gold medal at the Youth World Championship in Turkey in 2008. She represented the Indian team that won the silver medal in the 1st Asian Archery Grand Prix held at Bangkok in 2009. She won the Silver Medal in World Cup Stage III held at Ogden in August 2010.

The 20-year-old plays for Pele's former club Santos, and like the legend who helped Brazil to their first World Cup title, Neymar could lead them to their maiden football Olympic gold medal. The electrifying striker has attracted interest from the top clubs in Europe, both Real Madrid and Barcelona covet his signature. If all goes to plan at London, one of the continental giants could come knocking. He was recently named as the most marketable footballer in the world. If you catch the football action during the Olympics you'll know why.

The 17-year-old is the youngest gymnast in the American squad, but with her perfect form and technique she could teach a thing or two to the older competition. Jordyn Wieber's name rhymes with teenybopper Justin Bieber, meeting whom is her priority #2. What's her top priority? A gold medal at the Olympics. To fulfill that dream the defending all-around world champion will have to achieve a feat which no woman has in 40 years - simultaneously hold the world and Olympic all-around titles. Will Wieber Fever take over in London?

Andy Murray has cast aside the disappointment of Wimbledon and hopes to repay the overwhelming support of the British public by winning gold at the London Olympics. While gold is the goal for Murray, he added he would take any colour medal if it meant being on the podium at his home Olympics. "If I went into a grand slam and lost in the semi-finals, it's really disappointing and you kind of get criticised. (But) If you win a medal here, it's celebrated so you get a bronze medal and that's great.

The only woman standing between Jamaican dominance at the sprint events, the double 200m world champion has never won an individual Olympic gold and will have the Jamaican duo of Veronica-Campbell Brown and Shelly-Ann Fraser standing in the way. In addition to her pet event, the 200m, Allyson Felix's equally competent over 400m and 100m, a rare trait. In London, her second event will be the 100m.

A month after he won a record 17th Grand Slam at SW19, Roger Federer will be back to add one of the few accomplishments missing from his overflowing resume, an Olympic singles gold medal. For all you other athletes, who're getting your autograph books out, be cautioned. Federer won't be staying in the athletes village, he'll rent the same house he stays in during Wimbledon. With 7 titles it's safe to say its proved to be a lucky pad.

Caster Semenya's overriding priority this year is to leave three years of controversy behind her by adding the Olympic 800 metres gold medal to her 2009 world title. The South African's emphatic victory in Berlin raised questions about her gender and started a verification process that still clouds her achievement. She had emerged from obscurity to win gold in one minute 55.45 seconds, the fastest time of the year and a remarkable improvement on the times she had been clocking only months earlier. Semenya's sexuality became the subject of widespread debate and kept her off the track for almost a year before the IAAF cleared her to run again.

Popularly known as Super Dan, the Chinese shuttler is known for his powerful smashes and super-quick strokes. Lin Dan is the reigning Olympic champion, world champion and the All-England champion, so he naturally starts off as a firm favourite in London. His closest rival, Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei is nursing an ankle injury. This is the ideal situation for him to win a second gold - something no one in men's singles has achieved.

Liu Xiang won China's first track & field Olympic gold at Athens. Four years later, he was overwhelming favourite to win gold, but anti-climactically pulled up injured in the heats to leave a billion Chinese fans heartbroken (albeit heartbreak that was offset by topping the medals count and successfully staging the event). Now, the Chinese icon will look to script a memorable final chapter in his illustrious career at London.

Chris Hoy was Britain's knight in shining armour in Beijing, soon, he became a knight. Like every true knight (Sir Lancelot included) he'll do anything but commit that most dishonorable of sporting sins - referring to oneself in the third person. Sample this gem after he was asked what Chris Hoy thought of Chris Hoy: "Chris Hoy thinks that the day Chris Hoy refers to Chris Hoy in the third person is the day that Chris Hoy disappears up his own area."

Ashton Eaton set a glittering decathlon world record at the US Olympic trials, riding the cheers of a thrilled home crowd to upstage a stellar cast of athletes. Eaton, 24, improved on Czech Roman Serbrle's 2001 record by 13 points. The world decathlon silver medallist, who set the indoor heptathlon world record earlier this year, won seven of the 10 decathlon events at the trials, securing the world record with a strong 1,500 metres in four minutes 14.48 seconds.

The Ethiopian has succeeded compatriot Haile Gebraselassie as the greatest distance runner in the world, at Beijing he became one of the rare athletes to complete 5,000m and 10,000m double. Unlike the sprinters Kenenisa Bekele doesn't always get his due because of the relatively unpopular status of long distance events.

The greatest basketball player in the world at the moment was conferred the title King long before he won a crown, but this year, LeBron James finally had his coronation and won his first NBA title. The 6'8, 250-pound American is part Michael Jordan part Magic Johnson. Possessing a potent offensive arsenal, his defense is not bad either (Contrary to what may be portrayed in Jay-Z videos).

Lost amid all the hoopla around the newly-emerging Usain Bolt-Yohan Blake rivalry, is the medal chances of American sprinter Tyson Gay, who is as quick as the competition (He has run 100m in 9.71s and a wind-aided 9.69s) and as a former double world champion has the credentials to go the distance at the London Olympics. If Bolt and Blake aren't careful, Gay could creep up the rear and pip them at the post.

The NBA's rising star has got some serious skills. However, the primary reason for James Harden inclusion in this list is his distinctive beard and Mohawk - imagine the unholy fashion union of Hashim Amla's beard and Mr T's hair. It's only fair that as the Olympics head to England, there's an athlete who pays homage to the nation's first sporting hero. WG Grace, may his soul rest in peace.

The Manchester United legend is the most successful player in English football history with multiple Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League medals in his trophy cabinet. However, hailing from Wales, he could never play a major football tournament. Until now, that is. At 38, Ryan Giggs will captain the home team, hoping to add the one thing missing from his glittering CV - an international trophy. Will the Welsh Wizard inspire the hosts to triumph?

Teenage boxer Shiva Thapa qualified for the 2012 Olympics by entering the final of the 56 kg category at the Asian Olympic qualifying event, becoming the youngest Indian to do so. Shiva, a silver medallist at the 2010 Youth Olympics, was down 6-7 in the opening round. He changed gears in the second, taking a comfortable 15-6 lead. The Indian did not look back from there on and completed a comprehensive win. Shiva created quite a flutter by defeating a world champion in the finals in his debut senior international tournament, in Belgrade, where he went on to clinch a gold medal.

Before you ask who is Hiroshi Hoketsu it is pertinent that we tell you that he competed in his first Olympics in Tokyo 1964. Now, 48 years later, the 71-year-old is back for one last dig (we think). Till five years ago, the Germany-based Hoketsu had given up the sport and was ensconced in the corporate life as a company director at Johnson & Johnson. Catch him if you get a chance, it's not every day you see a 71-year-old gunning for gold atop a horse!

Im Dong-Hyun is almost legally blind but is considered by many to be one of the best archers in the world. This year, he will be going for his third Olympic gold. Apart from the multiple Olympic gold medals and the world records Im holds in archery, what really impresses is his success with such poor eyesight. With vision of 20/200, Im is what most people would consider too impaired to even hold down a job, much less compete and win on the world's biggest stage. Being legally blind has never been an issue with Im. It is something that he has lived with, and thus it would never become an excuse or a reason to feel any better about his many successes. In the 2006 Asian Games, with some of the continent's best archers, Im won two gold medals as an individual competitor. Only 20 at that time, Im's star was still on the rise... Expect him to reach to reach the zenith in London.

Hailing from the timy Pacific nation of Marshall Islands, Timi Garstang competed in his first track event just a few weeks ago. To put things into perspective, when he steps onto the track the 80,000 fans watching him will be 30,000 more than the population of his country. He has a personal best of 12.56s, a timing that would hardly give Usain Bolt nightmares (come to think of it, that would hardly give women's 100m champ Carmelita Jeter sleepless nights).

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London Olympics 2012: Stars to watch out for