ARCHERY
Events: Individual, team When competes: Aug. 12 - individual ranking round, 5 p.m.; Aug. 16 - individual 1/32 eliminations, 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; Aug. 17 - individual 1/16 eliminations, 3:30 p.m.; Aug. 19 - individual 1/8 eliminations, 8:30 a.m., individual medal rounds, 3:45 p.m.; Aug. 21 - Team 1/8 eliminations, 8:30 a.m., team medal rounds, 3:45 p.m. New England roots: Born in Worcester, Johnson grew up in Webster and lives in Woodstock, Conn. Career highlights: Johnson, 48, won a team gold medal in 1996 and a team bronze in 2000. He's also won the US outdoor national title four times, and finished second in the individual indoor in the 2001 world championships. Medal chances: Johnson's chance to finish top three is better in the team than individual event.
BASKETBALL
Position: Center When competes: Aug. 17 - vs. Greece, 10:15 p.m.; Aug. 19 - vs. Australia, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 21 - vs. Lithuania, 8 p.m.; Aug. 23 - vs. Angola, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 26-Aug. 28 - medal rounds. New England roots: Okafor attended the University of Connecticut and earned his degree this spring, needing only three years. Career highlights: : A two-time All-American, Okafor led UConn to the national championship last season and was named Co-National Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. In last month's NBA draft, he was selected No. 2 overall by the Charlotte Bobcats. Medal chances: Though it's hardly a slam dunk, the young US squad should still be favored for the gold.
Sue Bird
Position: Guard
When competes: Aug. 14 - vs. New Zealand, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 18 - vs. South Korea, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 20 - vs. Spain, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 22 - vs. China, 8 p.m.; Aug. 25-Aug. 28 - medal rounds.
New England roots: Bird attended the University of Connecticut, graduating in 2002.
Career highlights: After being picked first by the Seattle Storm in the 2002 WNBA draft, she's lived up to her billing, making the WNBA first team in her first two seasons. Perhaps even more impressive, she won two national championships at UConn and won National Player of the Year honors her senior season.
Medal chances: She'll have to clear room in her trophy case for a gold medal.
Swin Cash
Position: Forward
When competes: Aug. 14 - vs. New Zealand, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 18 - vs. South Korea, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 20 - vs. Spain, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 22 - vs. China, 8 p.m.; Aug. 25-Aug. 28 - medal rounds.
New England roots: Cash graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2002.
Career highlights: Cash was money in 2003, leading the Detroit Shock to the WNBA championship in an All-Star season. She also won a pair of titles at UConn, in 2000 and 2002. In 2002, when the Huskies finished 39-0, she was named the Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four.
Diana Taurasi
Position: Guard
When competes: Aug. 14 - vs. New Zealand, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 18 - vs. South Korea, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 20 - vs. Spain, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 22 - vs. China, 8 p.m.; Aug. 25-Aug. 28 - medal rounds.
New England roots: Taurasi graduated from the University of Connecticut this spring.
Career highlights: Won three national titles at UConn, where she was named National Player of the Year in her junior and senior seasons and was first-team All-Big East all four seasons.
BOXING
Event: Super heavyweight When competes: Aug. 18 - preliminaries; Aug. 23 - quarterfinals; Aug. 27 - semifinals; Aug. 29 - final. New England roots: Estrada was born and raised in Providence, and trains in Manfredo's Gym in Pawtucket, R.I. Career highlights: By winning gold at the 2003 Pan American Games, Estrada became the first non-Cuban to win in the event's history. He hasn't lost on American soil since the 2000 Olympic Trials, winning the last three national super heavyweight championships. Medal chances: Estrada has a shot to become the first American champion in the division since Tyrell Biggs struck gold in 1984.
CANOE/KAYAK
Event: Whitewater K1 When competes: Aug. 19 - heats, 12:40 p.m.; Aug. 20 - semifinals 2:30 p.m., finals 4:05 p.m.
New England roots: Heyl was born in Norwich, Vt., and graduated from Green Mountain Valley High School in Waitsfield, Vt., in 2000. Career highlights: Heyl qualified for the Olympics by finishing eighth in the first World Cup event of the season, held in Athens in April. He won the 2004 Pan Am championship in K1 and finished second at his first US Trials. Medal chances: A medal is unlikely for the first-timer, but he has a shot if he runs his absolute best race.
Bartosz Wolski
Event: K2 500m
When competes: Aug. 24 - heats, 9:50 a.m.; Aug. 26 - semifinals, 9:20 a.m.; Aug. 28 - final, 9:35 a.m.
New England roots: Wolski's family moved from Poland to New Britain, Conn., when he was 14. He attended high school there.
Career highlights: An alternate for the 2000 Olympics, Wolski finished sixth at the 2003 World Championships in the 200m and ninth in the 500.
Medal chances: Not likely. A late addition to the canoe/kayak team, Wolski will just be happy to be in Athens.
CYCLING
Event: Road When competes: Aug. 14 - 12:45; Aug. 18 - time trials, 3 p.m. New England roots: Hamilton grew up in Marblehead, where he still lives, and graduated from The Holderness School in Plymouth, N.H., in 1990. Career highlights: As a member of the US Postal Service team, Hamilton helped Lance Armstrong to five Tour de France victories. He made the Olympics in 2000 and was an alternate in 1996. He won the NCAA championship at Colorado in 1993. Medal chances: After a back injury forced him to pull out of this year's Tour de France, Hamilton is fighting an uphill battle. But he's still America's best hope.
Christian Stahl
Event: Team sprint
When competes: Aug. 21 - qualifying, 4:30 p.m., first round, 5:25 p.m.; Aug. 24 - medal rounds.
New England roots: Stahl grew up in Bethany, Conn.
Career highlights: In 2001, Stahl won gold at the world junior championships in the kilometer, just the second American to do so. He won silver in the kilometer at the 2003 Pan Am Games.
Medal chances: One of the world's most promising young cyclists at 22, Stahl's medals might have to wait until Beijing.
EQUESTRIAN
Event: Show jumping When competes: Aug. 22 - qualification, 9 a.m.; Aug. 24 - qualification, 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.; Aug. 27 - final, 4 p.m. New England roots: Born in Boston and raised in Medfield, Wylde graduated from Tufts University in 1989. Career highlights: He received the Whitney Stone Cup, one of equestrian's highest honors, in 2003. A three-time World Cup team member and six-time Grand Prix event winner, Wylde earned a bronze medal at the 2002 show jumping world championships - becoming the second American male to medal and the first since 1986 - and silver at the 1999 Pan Am Games. Medal chances: Last month, Wylde took second in an ultra-clean performance at the Super League event in Germany, regarded as a barometer for the Olympics, so his medal chances are very good.
FENCING
Events: Individual foil, team foil When competes: Aug. 16 - individual foil tournament, 10 a.m.-7:55 p.m.; Aug. 21 - team foil tournament, 10 a.m.-7:40 p.m. New England roots: Dupree was born in Hanover, N.H. Career highlights: He won the 2001 NCAA title in his senior season at Columbia University. The next year, he won the national championship. His best individual finish at the world championships, 27th, came in 2002. His best team finish, ninth, came in 2003. Medal chances: Although US fencing is sending its best squad to date to Athens, Dupree likely won't contend.
GYMNASTICS
Event: Vault, floor exercise When competes: Aug. 15 - qualification; Aug. 22 - vault final, 8:35 p.m.; Aug. 23 - floor exercise final, 9:45 p.m. New England roots: Hatch moved to West Haven, Conn., in 1997 and still resides there. Career highlights: Hatch, a native of Cuba, won the country's first world championship medal in 1996, a bronze in vault, but the nation did not send gymnasts to the 2000 Olympics. After moving to West Haven, Hatch made her US debut by finishing fourth in the all-around at the 2002 national championships. She won her first US title in 2003 on vault. Medal chances: She has a decent shot as one of the world's best vaulters for years.
JUDO
Event: Half lightweight When competes: Aug. 15 - preliminaries/repechages, 10:30 a.m., medal matches, 4:30 p.m. New England roots: Born in Providence and raised in Oneco, Conn., Ottiano now resides in Lawrence. Career highlights: A four-time national champion, Ottiano has won nine medals in national competition, also owning three silvers and two bronzes. He won three titles in a row from 1999 to 2001 and picked up his fourth in 2003. In '99, he won bronze at the Pan Am Games. Medal chances: Ottiano isn't a favorite to medal, but if he receives a good draw, it's possible.
Jimmy Pedro
Event: Lightweight
When competes: Aug. 16 - preliminaries/repechages, 10:30 a.m., medal matches, 4:30 p.m.
New England roots: Pedro was born in Danvers and now lives in Methuen.
Career highlights: Headed to his fourth Olympics, Pedro's best showing was bronze in 1996. He finished fifth in 2000 and lost in the third round in 1992. Also a wrestling captain at Brown University, Pedro won two high school state championships.
Medal chances: The favorite in 2000, he finished a disappointing fifth. But this year he could turn the tables.
Ronda Rousey
Event: Half middleweight
When competes: Aug. 16 - preliminaries/repechages, 10:30 a.m., medal matches, 4:30 p.m.
New England roots: Rousey moved to Lawrence last year to train with Jimmy Pedro Sr.
Career highlights: One year ago, at age 16, Rousey became the youngest woman ever to be ranked No. 1 in the nation. She won the gold medal at the 2003 Canadian Rendez Vous International and at the 2004 Pam Am Games.
Medal chances: Though only 17, Rousey has the best chance to win America's first Olympic medal in women's judo.
ROWING
Event: Eight When competes: Aug. 15 - heats, 11:20 a.m.; Aug. 17 - heats, 10:20 a.m.; Aug. 21 - final B, noon; Aug. 22 - final A, 10:30 a.m. New England roots: Allen grew up in Portland, Maine, and graduated from Portland High School. Career highlights: A first-time Olympian, Allen finished fourth in the eight in the World Cup earlier this year. In 2002, he won the doubles sculls at the National Selection Regatta. He took silver in the 2001 U-23 Nation's Cup in the eight. Medal chances: After retooling this spring, the eight is the US's strongest boat, giving Allen a solid chance.
Sloan DuRoss
Event: Quadruple sculls
When competes: Aug. 15 - heats, 10:30 a.m.; Aug. 17 - heats, 10 a.m.; Aug. 19 - semifinals, 9:30 a.m.; Aug. 21 - Final B, 11:50 a.m.; Aug. 22 - Final A, 9:50 a.m.
New England roots: DuRoss grew up in South Portland, Maine, went to prep school at Phillips Academy in Exeter, N.H., and graduated from Brown University in 1999. He resides in Somerville.
Career highlights: DuRoss qualified for his first Olympics by finishing second at the World Cup in June. He won bronze in the double sculls with partner Conal Groom and placed fourth in quadruple sculls at the 2003 Pan Am Games.
Medal chances: Not a favorite to medal, DuRoss hopes his boat can make the A final, which will take a top-six finish.
Sam Magee
Event: Eight
When competes: Aug. 15 - heats, 11 a.m.; Aug. 17 - heats, 10:10 a.m.; Aug. 22 - Final A, 10:10 a.m.
New England roots: Magee was raised in Simsbury, Conn., where she still resides in the summer. She went to St. Paul's School in Concord, N.H.
Career highlights: Magee has won a pair of gold medals this year in World Cup competition, both in the eight. Slated to graduate from Stanford in 2006, Magee was on this year's Pac-10 championship eight, which finished third at the NCAA championships.
Medal chances: Magee's boat is considered a front-runner for a medal, possibly the US's first gold in the event since 1984.
Wolf Moser
Event: Four
When competes: Aug. 14 - heats, 11:50 a.m.; Aug. 16 - heats, 11:10 a.m.; Aug. 18 - semifinals, 10 a.m.; Aug. 19 - final B, 11:10 a.m.; Aug. 21 - final A, 10:30 a.m.
New England roots: Moser was born in Moultonborough, N.H.
Career highlights: A veteran of seven world championships in both the four and the eight, Moser won bronze in the eight in 2002 and silver in the same event in 2003. He finished fifth in the four in the 2000 Olympics, surprising many by making the final.
Henry Nuzum
Event: Double sculls
When competes: Aug. 14 - heats, 11:20 a.m.; Aug. 16 - heats, 11 a.m.; Aug. 18 - semifinals, 9:40 a.m.; Aug. 19 - Final B, 11 a.m.; Aug. 21 - Final A, 10:10 a.m.
New England roots: Nuzum attended Harvard University, graduating in 1999.
Career highlights: Nuzum, a lieutenant in the US Navy deployed as a Tomahawk missile officer on the USS John S. McCain during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, placed eighth in the 2000 Olympics with Mike Ferry. He now rows with Aquil Abdullah, the first African-American male to make the rowing team.
Medal chances: Nuzum is in better shape this year than he was for the 2000 Games, but that probably won't push him over the edge for a medal.
Artour Samsonov
Event: Pair
When competes: Aug. 14 - heats, 10:30 a.m.; Aug. 16 - heats, 10:30 a.m.; Aug. 18 - semifinals, 9:20 a.m.; Aug. 19 - Final B, 10:40 a.m.; Aug. 21 - Final A, 9:30 a.m.
New England roots: Born in Dubna, Russia, Samsonov graduated from Harvard University in 2002. He lives in Cambridge.
Career highlights: Samsonov, who's now been on three national teams, is appearing in his first Olympics. He won the pair in this year's Olympic Trials. In college, he was All-Ivy League in 2002.
Medal chances: Still young, Samsonov's run at a medal may have to wait until Beijing.
Kent Smack
Event: Quadruple sculls
When competes: Aug. 15 - heats, 10:30 a.m.; Aug. 17 - heats, 10 a.m.; Aug. 19 - semifinals, 9:30 a.m.; Aug. 21 - Final B, 11:50; Aug. 22 - Final A, 9:50 a.m.
New England roots: Smack lives in Cambridge.
Career highlights: Smack qualified for his first Olympics by finishing second in this year's Olympic Qualification Regatta and won the mixed double sculls with his wife, Amy, at the 2003 Green Mountain Head Regatta.
Medal chances: After his performance at the World Cup in Switzerland, Smack figures to make the A Final and could contend for a medal.
Steve Tucker
Event: Lightweight doubles sculls
When competes: Aug. 15 - heats, 9 a.m.; Aug. 17 - heats, 9 a.m.; Aug. 19 - semifinals, 8:50 a.m. and 9:50 a.m.; Aug. 21 - final, 11:10 a.m.
New England roots: He graduated from MIT in 1991 and lives in Boston.
Career highlights: Finished 11th in the lightweight doubles in 2000 Olympics.
Medal chances: Tucker felt he and partner Greg Ruckman faltered in finishing fourth at the recent world championships in Switzerland, so anything less than a medal would be a letdown.
Caryn Davies
Event: Eight
When competes: Aug. 15 - heats, 11 a.m.; Aug. 17 - heats, 10:10 a.m.; Aug. 22 - Final A, 10:10 a.m.
New England roots: The recent graduate of Harvard University is now affiliated with Radcliffe crew.
Career highlights: In 2004, Davies has won a pair of gold medals and a bronze in World Cup competition. She won more gold in the four at the 2003 FISA World Championships and in the eight at the 2002 event. In 2000, she took the gold medal in the four and at the 2000 FISA Junior World Championships. At Harvard in 2003, Davies rowed on the national championship eight.
Medal chances: Davies's boat has beaten every challenger in the Olympics, giving it a chance to earn the first gold medal for the US in the event since 1984.
Hilary Gehman
Event: Quadruple sculls
When competes: Aug. 15 - heats, 10:10 a.m.; Aug. 17 - heats, 9:50 a.m.; Aug. 19 - semifinals, 9:30 a.m.; Aug. 21 - final, 11:40 a.m.
New England roots: Gehman was born in Shirley, grew up in New Hampshire, and graduated from Colby College in 1993.
Career highlights: In her four years with the women's national quad, Gehmen's best finish was bronze at the 2001 World Championships. She also finished fourth in her first world championships, 1999, and finished fifth in Sydney in 2000. At the recent World Cup, she won bronze with Danika Holbrook, Kelly Salchow, and Michelle Guerette.
Medal chances: Her boat will be a threat.
Michelle Guerette
Event: Quadruple sculls
When competes: Aug. 15 - heats, 10:10 a.m.; Aug. 17 - heats, 9:50 a.m.; Aug. 19 - semifinals, 9:30 a.m.; Aug. 21 - final B, 11:40 a.m.; Aug. 22 - final A, 9:30 a.m.
New England roots: Born and raised in Bristol, Conn., Guerette attended Harvard University and graduated in 2002.
Career highlights: Guerette won a gold medal in the eight at the 2003 World Cup and a bronze in the quadruple sculls in this year's World Cup. She won the four at the 2001 US Rowing National Championships.
Medal chances: Racing in the US's most experienced boat, she can't be counted out.
Danika Holbrook
Event: Quadruple sculls
When competes: Aug. 15 - heats, 10:10 a.m.; Aug. 17 - heats, 9:50 a.m.; Aug. 19 - semifinals, 9:30 a.m.; Aug. 21 - final, 11:40 a.m.
New England roots: Holbrook grew up in Durham, N.H., and graduated from Oyster River High School in 1991.
Career highlights: Wife and teammate of Ben Holbrook, she's been on five senior national teams, but is making her first Olympic appearance. She's won three international gold medals, in quadruple sculls at the 2003 World Cup and the 1994 FISA World Championships, and in the lightweight four at the 1994 Lucerne International Regatta. She also has three international bronze medals. In college, she won first in the eight at the 1995 national championships.
Medal chances: Racing in the squad's most experienced boat, she can't be counted out.
SAILING
Event: Finn When competes: Aug. 14-Aug. 28. New England roots: Hall attended Brown University, graduating in 1991. Career highlights: Brown won three consecutive world bronze medals in the 49er class, the last coming in 1999, when he was named part of US Sailing's Team of the Year. In the laser, he became North American champion in 1991 and 1995. Medal chances: Behind powerhouses England and Poland, a pack of 10 will fight for bronze. Hall fits into that group.
Mark Mendelblatt
Event: Laser
When competes: Aug. 14-Aug. 28
New England roots: Mendelblatt graduated from Tufts University in 1995.
Career highlights: Mendelblatt won a silver medal at the 1999 Pan Am Games. He won silver in the laser at the 2004 world championships.
Medal chances: Mendelblatt should post another medal performance.
Pete Spaulding
Event: 49er
When competes: Aug. 14-Aug. 28
New England roots: Spaulding graduated from Boston College in 1998.
Career highlights: Spaulding, with skipper Tim Wadlow, took fifth place in the 2004 world championships. He was a three-time ISCA All-American at BC and was named ICSA Sportsman of the Year in 1998.
Medal chances: Spaulding and longtime friend Wadlow are gold medal contenders.
Tim Wadlow
Event: 49er
When competes: Aug. 14-Aug. 28
New England roots: Born in Westerly, R.I., Wadlow graduated from Boston University in 1997 and lived in Marblehead until 2002.
Career highlights: Wadlow has won several sailing titles, including the National Championship and the Atlantic Coast Championship. In team racing, he has won the USTRA Nationals and finished second in the 1999 and 2001 world championships.
Medal chances: Wadlow and crew Pete Spaulding will contend for gold.
Carol Cronin
Event: Yngling
When competes: Aug. 14-Aug. 28
New England roots: She lives in Jamestown, R.I., and belongs to Sail Newport, Rhode Island's public sailing center at Fort Adams State Park.
Career highlights: A first-time Olympian, Cronin qualified her boat, Team Atkins, with a crew of Nancy Haberland and close friend Liz Filter, in February.
Medal chances: Since adding Haberland, Team Atkins has been gaining chemistry, making a medal a possibility.
Meg Gaillard
Event: Europe
When competes: Aug. 14-Aug. 28
New England roots: Gaillard, who lives in Jamestown, R.I., graduated from Connecticut College in 1995.
Career highlights: The 2003 US Sailing Female Athlete of the Year, Gaillard won bronze at the world championships in 2000 and 2003.
Medal chances: With just 26 boats in her class, conditions will dictate much. If the wind blows strong, she'll have a good shot to bring home hardware.
SHOOTING
Events: Air rifle, 50m rifle 3 position When competes: Aug. 14 - air rifle qualification, 9 a.m., air rifle final, 11 a.m.; 50m rifle 3 position qualification, 9 a.m., 50m rifle 3 position final, 12:30 p.m. New England roots: Caruso grew up in Fairfield, Conn., and graduated from Norwich University in 2000. Career highlights: The 2001 Female Shooter of the Year won the 2002 national championship in air rifle and finished fourth in the 2002 world championships. In 2000, she won silver at the World Cup. Medal chances: Though not a favorite, her experience gives her a decent chance at some hardware.
SOCCER
Position: Midfielder When competes: Aug. 11 - vs. Greece, 11 a.m.; Aug. 14 - vs. Brazil, 11 a.m.; Aug. 17 - vs. Australia, 11 a.m.; Aug. 20-Aug. 26 - medal rounds New England roots: Born in Wilton, Conn., Lilly played for the defunct Boston Breakers in the WUSA for three seasons. Career highlights: A member of the national team since 1987, Lilly owns more caps, 274, than any American man or woman. She won gold in 1996 and silver in 2000. Medal chances: Lilly and her teammates hope to avoid repeating the gold medal letdown in 2000.
Kristin Luckenbill
Position: Goalie
When competes: Aug. 11 - vs. Greece, 11 a.m.; Aug. 14 - vs. Brazil, 11 a.m.; Aug. 17 - vs. Australia, 11 a.m.; Aug. 20-Aug. 26 - medal rounds.
New England roots: Luckenbill graduated from Dartmouth College in 2001.
Career highlights: Luckenbill was a three-time All-American and won Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 1997. In 2002, her second of three seasons in the WUSA, she was named Goalkeeper of the Year for the Carolina Courage.
Briana Scurry
Position: Goalie
When competes: Aug. 11 - vs. Greece, 11 a.m.; Aug. 14 - vs. Brazil, 11 a.m.; Aug. 17 - vs. Australia, 11 a.m.; Aug. 20-Aug. 26 - medal rounds.
New England roots: Scurry graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1993.
Career highlights: Scurry played every minute of the 1996 Olympics, when the US won gold. She was in net for America's thrilling shootout victory in the 1999 World Cup final. After backing up Siri Mullinix in the 2000 Games, she regained her starting spot in 2002.
SWIMMING
Events: 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle When competes: Aug. 17 - 100 freestyle heats, 10 a.m., 100 freestyle semifinals, 7 p.m.; Aug. 18 - 100 freestyle final, 7:51 p.m.; Aug. 19 - 100 butterfly heats, 11:10 a.m.; 100 butterfly semifinals, 8:29 p.m.; Aug. 20 - 100 butterfly final, 7:09 p.m. New England roots: Crocker grew up in Portland, Maine, and graduated from Chevrus High School in 2000. Career highlights: Won a gold medal in 2000 Olympics in the 4 x 100 relay medley, breaking a world record with Gary Hall, Lenny Krayzelburg, and Ed Moses. At the 2003 world championships, he won gold in the 100 butterfly, becoming the first man to swim the race in less than 51 seconds. Medal chances: Michael Phelps, meet your worst nightmare. Crocker upset the phenom in the 100 butterfly at the 2003 world championships. He could do it again in Athens and thwart Phelps's run at eight gold medals.
Erik Vendt
Events: 1,500 freestyle, 400 IM
When competes: Aug. 14 - 400 IM heats, 10 a.m., 400 IM final, 7 p.m.; Aug. 20 - 1,500 freestyle heats, 10:27 p.m., 1,500 freestyle final, 6:06 p.m.
New England roots: Born in Wellesley, Vendt grew up in North Easton and graduated from Boston College High School in 1999.
Career highlights: Vendt won the silver medal in the 400 IM in the 2000 Olympics, a silver in that event in the 2001 world championships, and a bronze in the 1,500 freestyle at the 2003 world championships.
Medal chances: Vendt has been one of the best in the world in both of his events, so he should bag at least one medal.
Jenny Thompson
Event: 100 butterfly
When competes: Aug. 14 - heats, 10:31 a.m., semifinals, 7:11 p.m.; Aug. 15 - final, 7:25 p.m.
New England roots: Thompson, who was born in Danvers, started training at Seacoast Swimming in Dover, N.H., at age 8.
Career highlights: Thompson is the most decorated American female Olympian ever, with eight gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. All eight golds have come in relays.
Medal chances: If Thompson finally lands an individual gold medal, it could be the heartwarmer of the Games. At this point, that's a coin flip.
TRACK AND FIELD
Events: 20 km race walk When competes: Aug. 20 - 9 a.m. New England roots: Born and raised in Farmington, Maine, Eastler graduated from Mt. Blue High School in 1995. Career highlights: Eastler qualified for his first Olympics this year by finishing third at the Trials. In 2003, he was the USA Outdoor 20km champion. He set his personal best at the 2003 world championships when he finished 18th. Medal chances: Maybe next time.
Adam Nelson
Event: Shotput
When competes: Aug. 18 - qualifying round, 10 a.m., final, 5:30 p.m.
New England roots: Nelson graduated from Dartmouth College in 1997.
Career highlights: Ranked No. 3 in the world, Nelson won silver at the 2000 Olympics and the 2001 and 2003 world championships; his only international gold was at the 2001 Goodwill Games. He made it to Athens by winning the Olympic Trials with a throw of 71 feet.
Medal chances: Nelson could help the US sweep the medals in shot put.
Jonathon Riley
Event: 5,000 meters
When competes: Aug. 25 - Round 1, 7:55 p.m. and 8:33 p.m.; Aug. 28 - final, 9:05 p.m.
New England roots: Riley lived in Brookline and graduated from Brookline High School in 1997.
Career highlights: One of Stanford's most decorated athletes, Riley finished second at the US Trials this year. Riley won gold in the 3,000 at the 2003 national indoor championships. As a senior at Brookline High, Riley won the mile/two-mile double at the indoor nationals.
Medal chances: Riley most likely won't contend in a relatively weak event for the US.
Tim Seaman
Event: 20 km race walk
When competes: Aug. 20 - 9 a.m.
New England roots: Seaman was born in North Kingston, R.I.
Career highlights: Seaman, a three-time national champion, also competed in the 2000 Olympics, where he finished 40th of 47. He won at this year's Olympic Trials.
Medal chances: The US has never medaled in the race walk, and this probably won't be the year.
Joanne Dow
Event: 20 km race walk
When competes: Aug. 23 - 9 a.m.
New England roots: Dow was raised in Manchester, N.H., where she attended Trinity High School. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1986.
Career highlights: An eight-time national champion, Dow won gold at the 1998 Pan Am Walking Cup and bronze that year at the Goodwill Games.
Medal chances: Even though she's America's best, she probably won't medal.
Shalane Flanagan
Event: 5,000 meters
When competes: Aug. 20 - Round 1, 11:15 p.m.; Aug. 23 - final, 10 p.m.
New England roots: Flanagan grew up in Marblehead, where she went to high school and still lives.
Career highlights: In 2002 and `03 at the University of North Carolina, Flanagan was the NCAA cross-country champion. In 2003, she finished second in the 5,000 at the US championships and won the 3,000 at the NCAA indoor championships.
Laura Gerraughty
Event: Shot put
When competes: Aug. 18 - qualifying round, 8:30 a.m., final, 4 p.m.
New England roots: Gerraughty was born and raised in Nashua, and went to Nashua High School.
Career highlights: Gerraughty won five state high school titles. This spring, the junior-to-be at the University of North Carolina set an NCAA record in the shot put at the national indoor championships. She also holds UNC records in the hammer and weight throws.
Medal chances: Although she isn't considered a strong medal contender, Gerraughty thinks she has a good chance to make the top 12, possibly the top eight.
Deena Kastor
Event: 10,000 meters
When competes: Aug. 27 - 9:50 p.m.
New England roots: Born in Waltham.
Career highlights: Kastor (nee Drossin), perhaps the most accomplished female distance runner in the country, holds American records for the 5K, 10,000m, 15K, and marathon. She has won two silver medals at the world cross-country championships and gold at the 2001 USA marathon championships.
Medal chances: Kastor is America's best threat to medal in the 10,000 since Joan Benoit Samuelson won gold in 1984.
Anna Mahon
Event: Hammer throw
When competes: Aug. 23 - qualifying, 9:10 a.m., 10:40 a.m.; Aug. 25 - final, 10:10 p.m.
New England roots: Born and raised in Stamford, Conn., where she attended Stamford High School, Mahon now lives in Orange, Conn. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 1996.
Career highlights: A first-time Olympian, Mahon won the indoor and outdoor national championships in 2002, and repeated the indoor title in 2003. She finished second in both in 2002, and in 2003 she was the outdoor runner-up, as she was this year indoors.
Kate O'Neill
Event: 10,000 meters
When competes: Aug. 27 - 9:50 p.m.
New England roots: O'Neill, who graduated from Yale University in 2003, now lives in New Haven, Conn. She grew up in Milton and attended Milton High School.
Career highlights: O'Neill holds school records at Yale in the 3,000, 5,000, and 10,000.
Medal chances: O'Neill will have a hard time even being the best American.
Brenda Taylor
Event: 400m hurdles
When competes: Aug. 21 - first round, 9:05 a.m.; Aug. 22 - semifinals, 9:20; Aug. 25 - final, 9:55 p.m.
New England roots: Taylor graduated from Harvard University in 2001.
Career highlights: Taylor ran a personal-best 53.36 seconds at the US Trials, finishing second to make her first Olympic team. In 2001, she won the NCAA championship in the 400m hurdles.
Medal chances: She's not even the top hurdler on the US team, so not likely.
