Events from Aug. 14-24

FIVE STORY LINES

1 Double trouble: Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt broke the world record in the 100 meters in May (9.72 seconds) and will race in the 200 meters, too, in Beijing. Will he be able to tame a deep field of sprinters at both distances?

2 And on the women's side: American Muna Lee was the only U.S. woman to qualify for the coveted sprint double but does she have what it takes to reel in the competition? Allyson Felix is probably a favorite in the 200 and Torri Edwards and Lauryn Williams are probably equals at 100 meters. So the competition will be tough, but she's the only American with a shot at double gold in the sprints.

3 Relay sweep? The U.S.is the odds-on favorite to sweep men's and women's gold in 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Can they do it? Unless there's a relay baton mess up, the rest of the world just can't match the depth on the U.S. squad.

4 What's up, Breaux? American javelin thrower Breaux Greer, pink highlights in his hair and black polish on his fingernails and coming off the set of "American Gladiator," broke a bone in his right (throwing) hand July 20 when it got caught in a door, but he still believes he can throw 285 feet or beyond and contend for an Olympic medal. "I can kick a javelin 82 meters (269 feet)," Greer said.

5 The air over there: Certainly, the marathon will be the most affected event if the air quality goes bad. American Ryan Hall is one contender to watch: At the 2007 London Marathon, Hall placed fifth in 2:06:17, the second-fastest American time ever.

READY TO SHINE, PART 1: Liu Xiang

China's 110-meter hurdler, Liu Xiang, is being counted upon by the host country to match his surprising gold medal performance in 2004 with another in Beijing. Liu became the first Chinese man to win gold in track and field in Athens and since then, he has broken the world record in 2006 and won the 2007 world title. But he's got company in his event, thanks to Cuban world record holder Dayron Robles and American David Oliver. "I believe at least five guys can win in Beijing, but Liu is the favorite. He is the guy to beat," Robles said.

READY TO SHINE, PART 2: Tyson Gay

Tyson Gay elicited gasps and groans with his performance at the U.S. track and field trials last month. The crowd went "wow" over his wind-aided time of 9.68 seconds in the 100 meters, then cried "whoa" a week later when he crumpled to the ground in the 200 quarterfinals with a strained left leg. Just like that, Gay lost his shot at the sprint double at the Beijing Olympics. The reigning 100- and 200-meter world champ will have to put all of his energy into the 100.

NOTES

• Haile Gebrselassie, the former four-time world champion and double Olympic champion at 10,000 meters and the world record holder in the marathon, says he won't run the marathon in Beijing. He suffers from asthma and says he can't compete in that smog.

• Croatia's Blanka Vlasic has racked up 34 consecutive victories in the women's high jump, the longest current winning streak at track and field's international level.

• Nathan Deakes of Australia, the reigning world champion in the 50-kilometer walk, tore his hamstring while training in Switzerland a few weeks ago and will miss the Games.

• German discus thrower Franka Dietzsch, a three-time world champ, bailed out of the Games because of a variety of health issues, including blood pressure that got so high it was considered life-threatening.

• Great Britain's Paula Radcliffe, the world record-holder in the women's marathon, will try to give it a go in Beijing in spite of a hairline fracture in her left thigh.

• American Jeremy Wariner, an Olympic and world champion wants to break the 400-meter record set by Michael Johnson -- who just happens to be his manager.

• Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva has broken the world record 23 times (it now stands at 16 feet, 6 1/2 inches, including twice in the past month.

Breaux Greer