EDITORS:
The third of the AP's Olympic preview packages moves this week, with stories available for use any time. If you have questions, please call (212) 621-1630.
OLY--ATH-SEARCHING FOR USAIN
KINGSTON, Jamaica - The World's Fastest Man is, on the one hand, just a regular guy, and on the other, very hard to catch up to. Finding out where Usain Bolt might be on any given day on his home island of Jamaica during this, the lead-up to his trip to the London Olympics - that's not so difficult. Finding out who Bolt really is - that's a trickier task. By National Writer Eddie Pells.
AP Photos.
OLY--ATH-THE JAMAICAN SECRET
KINGSTON, Jamaica - The numbers don't add up. Jamaica, an island that covers less territory than Connecticut and has about as many people as Utah, travels to the Olympics, all but plants its green, yellow and black flag into the stadium turf and turns the soundtrack into a continuous loop of its national anthem, ''Jamaica, Land We Love.'' The Caribbean country of 2.7 million people won 11 medals at the Beijing Olympics, all in track and field, and is a good bet to hit that number again this year in London. By National Writer Eddie Pells. Sent.
AP Photos.
OLY--SWM-SWIMMING PREVIEW
There's nothing like a good rivalry to get the competitive juices flowing. At the Olympic pool in London, get ready to savor Michael Phelps vs. Ryan Lochte. They are the world's two greatest swimmers, and their head-to-head races at the U.S. Olympic trials were downright epic. Of course, that was merely a tantalizing warmup for the events that really matter in Britain. By National Writer Paul Newberry.
AP Photos.
OLY--GYMNASTICS PREVIEW
After stockpiling more precious metal than a jeweler over the last decade, the American women have gotten a little picky. Bronze really isn't their color, and they had their fill of silver in 2004 and 2008. No, they'd prefer something brighter and shinier from the London Olympics, similar to those gold medals they brought home from last fall's world gymnastics championships. By National Writer Nancy Armour. Sent.
AP Photos.
OLY--DIV-DIVING PREVIEW
China asserted its dominance as the world's diving superpower at the 2004 Athens Olympics, winning six of eight events. Not much has changed. At last year's world championships, the Chinese were even better, sweeping the eight golds. They'll be going for another golden sweep at the London Games. By Beth Harris.
AP Photos.
Also:
- Medal picks for all previewed sports.
Sport previews sent last week:
- Men's Basketball;
- Beach Volleyball;
- Men's Soccer;
- Women's Soccer;
- Canoeing;
- Rowing.
The AP
