Seven things to watch in Beijing: Michael, Shawn and more

With the Olympics fast approaching, there will be no doubt heart-warming stories and interesting tidbits to come out of the 2008 Games in China, and here are seven things to keep your eye on when the games begin on Aug. 8:

 

Michael Phelps (Getty Images)

1. Michael Phelps' quest for eight gold medals: Mark Spitz set the record with seven golds in 1972, but Phelps will attempt to do him one better. This is easily the story of the Olympics as Phelps will compete in the 200 and 400 IM, 200 freestyle, 100 and 200 butterfly, and three relay races, including the 4x200 freestyle relay.

Some are already calling him the greatest swimmer in U.S. history, but if he comes home with eight golds, there will be no disputing it. He came close in Athens, winning six gold and two bronze medals, while setting three Olympic and one World Record. He goes for his first gold Saturday night (Aug. 9).

 

Shawn Johnson (Getty Images)

2. Shawn Johnson and women's gymnastics: Love it or hate it, women's gymnastics is the darling sport of the Olympics. Whether it be Mary Lou Retton (1984), Kerri Strug and the Magnificent Seven (1996) or Carly Patterson (2004), history has always shown that the American champion will be the one with her face on the cover of the Wheaties box.

This year's one to watch is 16-year-old Johnson. She took first place in the All-Around at the U.S. Championships and will be favored to bring home gold in the same event. The women's team could sneak in the top 3 and grab a medal in the team event, but all eyes will be on Johnson in the individual events.

 

LeBron James (Getty Images)

3. Men's basketball: We all remember what happened four years ago in Athens with the U.S. winning bronze. The rest of the world is getting stronger in the sport, but the U.S. team is determined to show it is still king. Team USA will look to the young faces of the game -- Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul -- combined with veterans Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd -- to bring home gold this time around.

Their toughest competition will be Spain and 2004 gold winners Argentina. Team USA tips things off against host China on Aug. 10.

 

Tyson Gay (Getty Images)

4. 100 meters and 200 meters: The most anticipated events of the Track and Field events and this year will be more of the same. Tyson Gay is America's best hope to bring home gold in the 100, but will have to do battle with Jamaica's Usain Bolt. Gay is the world champion in the 100, but Bolt ran a world-record 9.72 at the Reebok Grand Prix in May. Bolt will also be running the 200, which is considered his best event.

Gay won't run in the 200 after straining his hamstring in qualifying, so America will pin its hopes on Florida State's Walter Dix. These will be two races you'll definitely want to watch to see who can claim world's fastest man.

 

Cat Osterman (Getty Images)

5. Softball: This is the last year of softball in the Olympics as the sport has been eliminated from future competitions (although, the IOC will reconsider it next year). The debate will continue if the sport is being eliminated because of anti-USA dominance or because it isn't a global sport, but no matter where you sit on the topic, you should tune in.

Team USA has won all three golds since the sport joined the Olympics in 1996 and is ready to dominate once again. With a pitching staff of Jennie Finch, Cat Osterman and Monica Abbott, the question won't be will Team USA lose, but will they allow a run?

 

Dara Torres (Getty Images)

6. Dara Torres: She's only competing in two events -- the 50 freestyle and 4x100 free relay -- but at 41 years old, it will be interesting to see if she can medal. There has been lots of talk of her doping, but she has never tested positive.

In the 2000 Games, Torres won five medals, but then she took a long retirement and had a daughter. She's back for one more shot at gold, but any medal would be an accomplishment.

 

7. China vs. U.S.: The race is on for the most golds and overall medals between these two countries. No other country should come close (Russia should be a distant third) to earning as many pieces of hardware. The United States won the most medals in 2004 with 102, while China had 63, but the host country always gets a boost in the medal count.

The U.S. vs. China matchup will be the fiercest in women's gymnastics, women's soccer, diving and swimming.