Ryan Bailey

Bailey is surely the least-known member of a U.S. 100-meter team that includes Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay, but his storybook rise from a troubled childhood to the Olympics may catch the eye of many Americans. His rocky upbringing included problems with poverty and gangs along with academic and injury woes, but he overcame it all for a surprise third-place finish in 9.93 seconds at the U.S. trials in his home state of Oregon. "I can't put it into words," Bailey said. "When I was younger, I didn't have the best childhood. I went down the wrong path and then realized I had to turn it around. My coaches and family were there and I'm just really happy right now. I don't know what else to say." The youngest of eight children, Bailey didn't have the academic qualifications necessary to take advantage of a college track scholarship, so he eventually enrolled in a junior college in Illinois. Coach John Parks helped guide him from there to the professional circuit, where he ran a personal-best time of 9.88 seconds in 2010. Bailey dealt with more injury problems in the past year, including an ankle fracture, but he returned to form just in time - and there still may be plenty of untapped potential.