MEDALS: competitors in four lbs tuition for males and women. A single-elimination contest identifies the gold-and-silver medals. Those beaten because of the finalists head to the next bracket to contend when it comes to bronze.
MINDSET: Sport who has been around for 2,000 many years debuts as a medal celebration at Sydney after becoming a demo in 1992 and 1996. Korea won the men’s and women’s games at last seasons’s industry titles.
SOUTHERN FLORIDA CONNECTION: Juan Moreno of Miami ended up being a sterling silver medalist within the flyweight unit (128 weight) whenever taekwondo had been a demo recreation from the 1988 and 1992 Olympics.
Ladies drinking water polo debuts at the Olympics utilizing the United States one of many preferences in the six-team area
VIEW: the ladies’s division, which started in 1976, increases to 10 groups. Discover 12 groups into the men’s industry, which started enjoy in 1972. Underdog Denmark claimed the 1996 women’s occasion over southern area Korea, the 1988 and 1992 champions, in overtime. Australia got an automatic bid as variety country.
MINDSET: With a stronger U.S. professionals, this present year could be the most readily useful ever since the recreation gone back to medal reputation in 1988. Wimbledon champ Venus Williams has an opportunity at two gold medals because she actually is playing singles and doubles — with sis Serena. Lindsay Davenport will attempt to repeat the lady silver task, and Boca Raton’s Vince Spadea renders his Olympic first.
S. men, called a medal contender by mentor John Vargas, could have a very tough time
SOUTHERN FL RELATIONSHIP: Venus and Serena Williams of hand coastline home gardens are anticipated to guide the medal amount. Pan-american video games silver medalist i’ll contend for Venezuela.
PERSPECTIVE: The Olympics’ youngest sport has actually been around since 1974. The course includes a 1.5-kilometer move, followed closely by a cycle drive of 40 kilometers and a 10-kilometer run-around the Sydney Opera home and the regal Botanic home gardens and website. Australian continent will be the leading country into the men’s and ladies’ competitions brought by Michellie Jones.
MINDSET: there are many regulations changes for your 104-year-old recreation. For the first time, the defense 
can score. Earlier, groups could merely rank themselves serve. Initial four units are now played to 25 points, whilst the best set goes toward the traditional 15. Libero could be the new name into the video game; really a specialist character built to produce extended rallies and spectacular protective enjoy. The gamer will use a different sort of color from remaining portion of the team and will substitute anywhere in the backcourt but are unable to offer, spike or rotate to the front zone. Two-time protecting Olympic champ Cuba try once more the team to conquer inside ladies field. Brazil, along with Cuba, Italy plus the Netherlands, should deal for males’s silver.
SOUTHERN AREA FLORIDA CONNECTIONS: George Roumain of Parkland, former St. Thomas and Douglas member and two-time NCAA pro of the Year at Pepperdine, is just one of the planet’s most useful interior members. He has over come leg and give problems to make their Olympic debut. Mickisha Hurley of Miami Shores was actually an All-American at Barry institution.
VIEW: a medal ways a brand new opportunity for silver for any US. The People in the us is brought by Coralie Simmons, Brenda property and Maureen O’Toole, regarded by some the activity’s ultimate feminine athlete previously. In gone 6-0 at the getaway glass, which highlighted Olympic qualifiers Canada, Australia, Russia, Kazakstan and Netherlands, the defending community champion. The U. Their section of the draw consists of Hungary, with won six golds, and medal favorites Yugoslavia and Croatia. Australian continent and Italy are among the powers inside spouse associated with the 12-team competition. The Americans tend to be led by Chris Humbert, Tony Azevedo and Dan Hackett.