Ten to follow in Sydney

Ian Thorpe (Aus): 17-years-old, size 17 feet and already broken a host of world records

Cathy Freeman (Aus): Australia expects in the 400m

Michael Johnson (USA): Two golds and one world record in Atlanta

Maurice Greene (USA): The fastest man the world has seen

Marion Jones (USA): Chasing not one but five gold medals

Venus Williams (USA): Looking to add a gold medal to her Wimbledon success

Hicham El Guerrouj (MAR): Capable of breaking records as well as winning medals

Stacy Dragila (USA): Favourite for the first ever women's pole vault gold

Penny Heyns (SA): The South African goes into the Games in record breaking form

Steve Redgrave (GB): Fifth Olympics - fifth gold medal?