I always enjoy these kinds of articles because I always learn about a couple of people I have never heard of, but they have high chances of winning an Olympic medal. Here are the Olympian’s eight medal favorites:

1. Lin Dan, China, badminton - Lin Dan is described as the John McEnroe of badminton.

2. Natalie du Toit, South Africa, open water swimming - First amputee in the Olympics is swimming in the women’s 10 kilometers.

3. Asafa Powell, Jamaica, track and field - recently beat world record holder Usain Bolt, Powell, Bolt and Gay are a likely trifecta.

4. Liu Xiang, China, track and field - has been a little out of form lately and faces tough competition from upcoming star Dayron Robles but will have full support from his home crowd.

5. Grant Hackett, Australia, swimming - hoping to win his third gold medal in the 1,500 meters.

6. Tom Daley, Great Britain, diving - at just 14 years of age Daley will receive a lot of media attention at the Olympics.

7. Ronaldinho, Brazil, soccer - Will make the soccer worth watching.

8. Vanessa Ferrari, Italy, gymnastics - Faces tough competition from the Chinese and American gymnasts.