BLACK ATHLETES TO WATCH IN BEIJING '08

KOBE BRYANT, CARMELLO ANTHONY, LEBRON JAMES, DWYANE WADE - MEN'S BASKETBALL

After finishing in third place in Athens four years ago, the USA Men's basketball team is definitely looking for some redemption this year. Dwyane Wade even has his own personal first person diary, to document the experience, that he's been releasing to the Associate Press periodically.

JAMES BLAKE (28) - TENNIS

This will be James' Olympic debut in Beijing. Originally from Tampa, FL, Blake has the chance to become the first black male to win an Olympic tennis medal. He's currently ranked #2 in America.

ALLYSON FELIX (22) - SPRINTS

Been following this chica's career for quite some time now. She's the first U.S. track athelete to turn pro right out of high school despite not stepping on a track until the 9th grade. A two-time World Champion Allyson will be reppin the US in the 200-meter dash. In the last Olympics ('04) she brought home the silver.

FREDDY ADU (19) - SOCCER

Freddy grew up in Tema, Ghana before his mom won the Green Card Lottery and moved the family to Washington D.C. He signed a $1 million contract with Nike at the age of thirteen and hasn't looked back since.

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE (20) - BOXING

Demetrius is reppin the US as a welterweight boxer. Just twenty years old and he hails from Providence, Rhode Island. He's been the top U.S. ranked welterweight for over three years and is the two-time U.S. National Championships and National Golden Gloves champion.

RAU'SHEE WARREN (21) - BOXING

Rau'Shee is from Cincinnati and grew up in a very rough neighborhood. Finding the gym as a safehaven, Rau'Shee discovered boxing and it's been a Cinderella story ever since. At 17, he was the reigning world amateur champion when he made it to Athens for the last Olympics. Unfortunately, he was eliminated in the first round. However, this time around he's hoping to come back stronger and to bring us home the gold.

VENUS WILLIAMS (28) - TENNIS

This will be Venus' third time in the Olympics. Previously she won a gold medal in women's singles and doubles in the 2000 Olympics.

SERENA WILLIAMS (26) - TENNIS

This chick's body is ridiculous. This is gonna be Serena's second time appearing in the Olympics. She won a gold medal in women's doubles at the '00 Olympics with her big sis Venus. Here's to hoping they dominate in Beijing.

LISA LESLIE (36) - BASKETBALL

According to Lisa, "this will be my last Olympics, that's official." Raised in Compton, CA Lisa has made it to the big leagues by staking her claim in the record books as one of the most dominant Centers in women's basketball. This will be her fourth Olympics. She's gotten the gold in '96, '00, and '04.



TYSON GAY (25) - TRACK AND FIELD

Won double gold in Osaka Japan last year before he locked himself away at a training camp in Munich Germany (gotta love that dedication). Look for him on the track participating in the 100m. He's gonna miss out on the 200m because of a previous leg injury that kept him from qualifying.

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