SUMMER SANDERS
Swimming
The butterfly specialist started swimming when her father put in a pool to cool off the backyard. She has a shot at five medals.
JOHN SMITH
Wrestling
The five-time world champion trained as a child against his older sister. He won a gold medal in Seoul in the 136.5-pound class and should repeat in Barcelona.
CARL LEWIS
Track
KIM ZMESKAL
Gymnastics
His six Olympic golds and 22 world and U.S. titles have finally quieted the comparisons to Jesse Owens; she, 1991 world champ, is still plagued by fans’ memories of Mary Lou Retton
MARIO MARTINEZ
Weight Lifter
Ten-time U.S. champ in 110-plus-kilogram weight class, he won a silver medal in 1984 but lost his car: held missed the loan payments by going to the gym instead of his job
JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE
Track
Set a heptathlon record to win a gold medal in Seoul, but her highest title is unofficial: America’s, and perhaps the world’s, greatest woman athlete
SCOTT KESWICK
Gymnastics
One of America’s top male gymnasts and the reigning lord of the rings, he favors big, muscular tricks such as a double-twisting, double-back somersault dismount
OSCAR DE LA HOYA
Boxing
Two-time U.S. champ in the 132-pound class, he’s fighting for his mother: she skipped radiation treatments to see him win at the 1990 Goodwill Games and died of cancer that year. His morning training run takes him around the cemetery where she lies.
