MEDALS: Competition in four lbs courses for men and ladies. A single-elimination competition decides the gold-and-silver medals. Those defeated of the finalists visit an extra group to contend when it comes to bronze.

MINDSET: recreation which includes been around for 2,000 decades debuts as a medal show at Sydney after are a demo in 1992 and 1996. Korea won the men’s room and ladies’ brands eventually 12 months’s business titles.

SOUTHERN AREA FLORIDA CONNECTION: Juan Moreno of Miami was a sterling silver badoo medalist in the flyweight division (128 pounds) when taekwondo is a demonstration recreation in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics.

Women’s liquid polo debuts at the Olympics with the U . S . one of several preferences from inside the six-team area

VIEW: the ladies’s division, which started in 1976, expands to 10 teams. You can find 12 teams into the men’s field, which began gamble in 1972. Underdog Denmark won the 1996 women’s occasion over South Korea, the 1988 and 1992 champions, in overtime. Australia got an automatic bid due to the fact number country.

PERSPECTIVE: With a good U.S. team, this current year could possibly be the best since the sport gone back to medal status in 1988. Wimbledon champ Venus Williams features the opportunity at two silver medals because she is playing singles and increases — with brother Serena. Lindsay Davenport will attempt to repeat her gold accomplishment, and Boca Raton’s Vince Spadea makes their Olympic introduction.

S. people, labeled as a medal competitor by advisor John Vargas, has an even more hard time

SOUTH FLORIDA LINK: Venus and Serena Williams of hand seashore landscapes are required to lead the medal matter. Pan American video games gold medalist i’ll participate for Venezuela.

VIEW: The Olympics’ youngest athletics features been around since 1974. The program has a 1.5-kilometer swim, accompanied by a motorcycle experience of 40 kilometers and a 10-kilometer run around the Sydney Opera home and regal Botanic Gardens and Domain. Australia may be the best country in the men’s and ladies’ games brought by Michellie Jones.

MINDSET: there are lots of procedures variations for the 104-year-old sport. For the first time, the protection can rank. Previously, teams could just score by themselves offer. 1st four units are now actually played to 25 things, as the best ready goes to the standard 15. Libero could be the new name into the games; its a professional part made to make lengthier rallies and magnificent defensive play. The player will put another type of tone through the remainder of the team might exchange anywhere in the backcourt but cannot serve, spike or rotate to the front side zone. Two-time defending Olympic champion Cuba are once more the team to conquer inside the ladies field. Brazil, in addition to Cuba, Italy plus the Netherlands, should contend for men’s gold.

SOUTH FLORIDA HOOKUP: George Roumain of Parkland, previous St. Thomas and Douglas pro and two-time NCAA athlete of the Year at Pepperdine, is among the planet’s best interior users. He has conquer leg and hands injuries to help make their Olympic debut. Mickisha Hurley of Miami coasts ended up being an All-American at Barry college.

OUTLOOK: A new medal ways a brand new opportunity for gold for any US. The Us citizens include directed by Coralie Simmons, Brenda Villa and Maureen O’Toole, thought about by some the activity’s ultimate women player actually ever. In went 6-0 at trip Cup, which showcased Olympic qualifiers Canada, Australian Continent, Russia, Kazakstan in addition to Netherlands, the protecting business champion. The U. Their unique region of the draw include Hungary, that has obtained six golds, and medal preferences Yugoslavia and Croatia. Australian continent and Italy are probably the abilities in spouse in the 12-team tournament. The People in america tend to be led by Chris Humbert, Tony Azevedo and Dan Hackett.