SWIMMING

Prime-time players

Michael Phelps is already the world’s greatest swimmer. In Beijing he has a chance to achieve a feat many thought impossible: breaking Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals. Meanwhile, 41-year-old Dara Torres looks to turn back the clock.

Magnificent Michael
If you like drama, it’s all in the pool

TRACK AND FIELD

Coming clean

In the wake of high-profile doping cases that took down some of its biggest stars, the sport is looking to athletes such as Americans Tyson Gay and Allyson Felix, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell and China’s Liu Xiang to put it back on its pedestal.

Trying to maintain the luster

GYMNASTICS

Setting the bar high

The duo of Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin is expected to lead the U.S. - and each other - to the top

Teammates, rivals — and friends

BASKETBALL

Gold or else

While it’s business as usual for the U.S. women as they pursue their fourth straight gold medal, the pressure is on the men, led by superstars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, to avoid another international embarrassment.

Gold or bust for men’s team
Leslie leads US quest for fourth straight gold

VOLLEYBALL

Life’s a beach

The men’s team of Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers and defending women’s champs Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor look to make it a U.S. sweep.

‘Thin Beast’ stands tall in the sand
Hawaii flavor continues to add spice

SOCCER

In the mix

The U.S. women are expected to continue their golden run, while the men look to young stars.

U.S. women reload with youth
Events off the field overshadow men’s attempt to generate buzz

Also

Tennis
Medals matter to top players

Diving
China seeking pool perfection

Softball
It’s the bottom of the 7th with 2 out

Baseball
For Cuba, this means everything

Tae kwon do
Even Olympic heroes have their heroes
Koreans will be favored, but Texans are tough, too

Doping
IOC targeting drug cheats

Boxing
Sport’s rehab will continue in Beijing

On the cover

Led by swimming superstar Michael Phelps, Americans Shawn Johnson (gymnastics), Tyson Gay (track), Hawaii’s Bryan Clay (decathlon) and Dara Torres (swimming) are expected to make a splash at the Games.

Contributors

Sports editor Paul Arnett

Cover art Bryant Fukutomi

Designers Steven Berkowsky, Joe Edwards and Nick Abramo

Copy editor Sjarif Goldstein

Volleyball Cindy Luis