15 Faces to Watch at the 2012 London Olympics

  • Leryn Franco of Paraguay specializes in the women's javelin throw but might be better known for her looks than her performance.
    1/12

    Leryn Franco

    Leryn Franco of Paraguay specializes in the women's javelin throw but might be better known for her looks than her performance.
    Getty Images
  • Teddy Riner (R) of France won a bronze medal for men's judo in Beijing but it seems likely that, given his unmatched record of six world titles, he'll be vying to do better this time around.
    2/12

    Teddy Riner

    Teddy Riner (R) of France won a bronze medal for men's judo in Beijing but it seems likely that, given his unmatched record of six world titles, he'll be vying to do better this time around.
    Getty Images
  • Rising Brazilian soccer star Neymar will be trying to lead his team to victory in his first Olympic Games.
    3/12

    Neymar

    Rising Brazilian soccer star Neymar will be trying to lead his team to victory in his first Olympic Games.
    Getty Images
  • German discus thrower Robert Harting came in fourth at the 2008 Olympic Games and will no doubt be determined not to let a medal slip through his fingers this year.
    4/12

    Robert Harting

    German discus thrower Robert Harting came in fourth at the 2008 Olympic Games and will no doubt be determined not to let a medal slip through his fingers this year.
    Getty Images
  • As the only player in history to receive the International Hockey Federation World Player of the Year award seven times, Argentina's Luciana Aymar will be expected to lead her team to field hockey glory.
    5/12

    Luciana Aymar

    As the only player in history to receive the International Hockey Federation World Player of the Year award seven times, Argentina's Luciana Aymar will be expected to lead her team to field hockey glory.
    Getty Images
  • Feng Tianwei of Singapore won a silver team medal for table tennis in the 2008 Olympic Games. It was her country's first Olympic medal in 48 years and so the pressure will be on to repeat that achievement this year.
    6/12

    Feng Tianwei

    Feng Tianwei of Singapore won a silver team medal for table tennis in the 2008 Olympic Games. It was her country's first Olympic medal in 48 years and so the pressure will be on to repeat that achievement this year.
    Getty Images
  • Instantly recognizable, Rafael Nadal of Spain is arguably one of the greatest tennis players of all time and will be defending his Olympic title at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, better known as the home of the Wimbledon championships, in London.
    7/12

    Rafa Nadal

    Instantly recognizable, Rafael Nadal of Spain is arguably one of the greatest tennis players of all time and will be defending his Olympic title at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, better known as the home of the Wimbledon championships, in London.
    Getty Images
  • Wu Minxia of China is a diving champion who won gold at both the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games in the 3 metre women's synchronized springboard competition.
    8/12

    Wu Minxia

    Wu Minxia of China is a diving champion who won gold at both the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games in the 3 metre women's synchronized springboard competition.
    Getty Images
  • Louis Smith is a British gymnast whose strongest event and best medal hope is the pommel horse.
    9/12

    Louis Smith

    Louis Smith is a British gymnast whose strongest event and best medal hope is the pommel horse.
    Getty Images
  • Priscilla Lopes-Schliep of Canada took home a bronze medal for women's 100m hurdles at the Beijing Olympics and will be looking to get higher up on the podium in London.
    10/12

    Priscilla Lopes-Schliep

    Priscilla Lopes-Schliep of Canada took home a bronze medal for women's 100m hurdles at the Beijing Olympics and will be looking to get higher up on the podium in London.
    Getty Images
  • After taking the fall for Team USA's silver medal placement in Beijing, world champion gymnast Alicia Sacramone will be seeking redemption in what will most likely be her final Olympic appearance.
    11/12

    Alicia Sacramone

    After taking the fall for Team USA's silver medal placement in Beijing, world champion gymnast Alicia Sacramone will be seeking redemption in what will most likely be her final Olympic appearance.
    Getty Images
  • Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia is one of the best badminton players in the world and will be looking to beat his rival, reigning Olympic champion Lin Dan of China, in order to win gold in London.
    12/12

    Lee Chong Wei

    Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia is one of the best badminton players in the world and will be looking to beat his rival, reigning Olympic champion Lin Dan of China, in order to win gold in London.
    Getty Images
Leryn Franco of Paraguay specializes in the women's javelin throw but might be better known for her looks than her performance.
Teddy Riner (R) of France won a bronze medal for men's judo in Beijing but it seems likely that, given his unmatched record of six world titles, he'll be vying to do better this time around.
Rising Brazilian soccer star Neymar will be trying to lead his team to victory in his first Olympic Games.
German discus thrower Robert Harting came in fourth at the 2008 Olympic Games and will no doubt be determined not to let a medal slip through his fingers this year.
As the only player in history to receive the International Hockey Federation World Player of the Year award seven times, Argentina's Luciana Aymar will be expected to lead her team to field hockey glory.
Feng Tianwei of Singapore won a silver team medal for table tennis in the 2008 Olympic Games. It was her country's first Olympic medal in 48 years and so the pressure will be on to repeat that achievement this year.
Instantly recognizable, Rafael Nadal of Spain is arguably one of the greatest tennis players of all time and will be defending his Olympic title at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, better known as the home of the Wimbledon championships, in London.
Wu Minxia of China is a diving champion who won gold at both the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games in the 3 metre women's synchronized springboard competition.
Louis Smith is a British gymnast whose strongest event and best medal hope is the pommel horse.
Priscilla Lopes-Schliep of Canada took home a bronze medal for women's 100m hurdles at the Beijing Olympics and will be looking to get higher up on the podium in London.
After taking the fall for Team USA's silver medal placement in Beijing, world champion gymnast Alicia Sacramone will be seeking redemption in what will most likely be her final Olympic appearance.
Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia is one of the best badminton players in the world and will be looking to beat his rival, reigning Olympic champion Lin Dan of China, in order to win gold in London.

The next Usain or Phelps – global icons based on their dominant performances in Beijing -- could come from field hockey or judo. Here are 15 competitors to keep your eye on in London. -- By Carla Thorpe

Recommended Stories