CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Odom recently was part of the blockbuster trade that brought Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat from the Lakers. He averaged 17.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Heat last season after spending his first four years in the NBA with the Clippers.
AMARE STOUDEMIRE
AGE: 21.
CONNECTION: A Lake Wales native, he was the state's Mr. Basketball in 2002 after his senior year at Cypress Creek High School in Orlando.
POSITION: Forward.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: After attending six high schools in two years, Stoudemire went straight to the NBA, where he has blossomed into one of the league's top power forwards. He won 2002-03 NBA Rookie of the Year honors with Phoenix, and this past season he averaged 20.6 points and 9 rebounds for the Suns. While many NBA stars passed up a trip to Athens, Stoudemire, 6-10 and 245 pounds, lobbied for a spot on Team USA.
DIVING
KYLE PRANDI
AGE: 25.
CONNECTION: Former University of Miami diver.
EVENT: 10-meter; 10-meter synchronized (with Mark Ruiz).
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Prandi was platform gold medalist at the 2001 NCAA championships. He finished fifth at the 2004 Speedo American Cup on 10-meter.
MARK RUIZ
AGE: 25.
CONNECTION: Orlando resident.
EVENT: 10-meter synchronized (with Kyle Prandi).
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: In Sydney in 2000, he was the first American to compete on both the 3-meter and 10-meter since Greg Louganis in 1988. Ruiz has won more national titles than any diver except Louganis.
EQUESTRIAN
ROBERT DOVER
AGE: 48.
CONNECTION: Resides in Wellington.
EVENT: Dressage.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Dover competed in four previous Olympics: 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000. He was on the bronze medal winning dressage teams in 1992 in Barcelona, in '96 in Atlanta and in 2000 in Sydney. He has won more dressage honors at home and abroad than any American competitor. In 1994, he was named "Male Equestrian Athlete of the Year" by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
LAUREN HOUGH (alternate)
AGE: 27.
CONNECTION: Resides in Wellington.
EVENT: Show Jumping.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: This would be Hough's second Olympics. She rode Clasiko as part of the 2000 Olympic show jumping team that finished in sixth place. Last year, she rode on the gold medal winning team in the Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo.
RHADI FERGUSON
AGE: 29.
CONNECTION: Ferguson got his start in judo while living in Miami from age 7 to 13. He began trying several different after-school sports while attending Oak Grove Elementary but was most encouraged by his judo instructor, Jack Williams of Miami Dade Community College. After the Olympics, he plans to move back to Florida to be close to his family and start a career in the fitness industry.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: In 2004, Ferguson won a bronze medal in the Pan American Championships half heavyweight (220 pounds, or 100 kilograms) division, as well as a U.S. National Championships silver medal. He won gold at the U.S. Open Championships in 2001, and in 2000, he was an alternate on the U.S. Olympic team.
BRIAN OLSON
AGE: 31.
CONNECTION: Born in Woodville, a small town (about 2,800 residents) south of Tallahassee.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Olson won a silver medal in the 2004 Pan American Games. He finished seventh in the 2000 Sydney Games and participated in the 1996 Atlanta Games. In the Pan American Judo Championships, he won gold medals in 2001 and bronze in 2002 and 2003.
KAYAK
BENJIE LEWIS
AGE: 21.
CONNECTION: Hometown is Aventura and he attended Hillel/National Sports Academy in N. Miami Beach.
EVENT: Sprint kayak 500-meter.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Lewis competed in his first World Championships in 2001. In 2003, he won five gold medals at the U.S. National Championships. He had one third and two second-place finishes at the trials. This will be his first Olympics.
MODERN PENTATHLON
CHAD SENIOR
AGE: 29.
CONNECTION: Grew up in North Fort Myers and graduated from North Fort Myers High in 1993. Resides in Colorado Springs, where he is an infantry officer in the U.S. Army.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: He placed sixth in modern pentathlon after leading through three events at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. After leaving the sport for 18 months, he took second at the 2003 Pan Am Games and won a silver medal in the men's relay at the 2004 World Championships in Moscow. He is ranked seventh in the world.
ROWING
CHRISTOPHER LIWSKI (alternate)
AGE: 24.
CONNECTION: Hometown is Sarasota; went to Riverview High School.
EVENT: alternate for eight, four and pair boats.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Liwski has been on the national team for four years. He won gold at the 2003 Pan American Games.
SAILING
KEVIN BURNHAM
AGE: 47.
CONNECTION: Burnham went to the University of Miami. He lives in Coral Gables, where he works as a yacht broker for Nautor's Swan Florida-Agents International.
EVENT: 470 class.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: This is Burnham's third Olympics. He will crew with Paul Foerster. Burnham took silver in 1992 and finished eighth in 1996.
MARK MENDELBLATT
AGE: 31.
CONNECTION: A native of St. Petersburg, Mendelblatt tagged along to watch his older brother, David, take lessons at the St. Petersburg Sailing Center, then started himself when he was 6.
EVENT: Laser class.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Mendelblatt is making his Olympic debut in the laser class after failing in previous attempts in 1996 and 2000. He was named U.S. Sailing's 2003 USOC Male Athlete of the Year after winning at the Rolex Miami OCR, the Laser Pacific Coast and the Gulf Coast Championships.
PETE SPAULDING
AGE: 28.
CONNECTION: He lives in Miami, where he works as a web designer.
EVENT: 49er class.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Spaulding will crew with Tim Wadlow. They placed fifth at the 2004 World Championships in Athens, their best showing in an international event.
SOCCER
HEATHER MITTS
AGE: 26
CONNECTION: Played for the University of Florida (1996-98).
POSITION: Defender.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Mitts, a star for UF's 1998 NCAA championship team, has the speed and versatility to play outside and inside in the back. She scored her first international goal in a 1-0 win against Canada on July 3 in an Olympic tuneup in Nashville, Tenn.
ABBY WAMBACH
AGE: 24.
CONNECTION: Played for the University of Florida (1998-2001).
POSITION: Forward.
CARRER HIGHLIGHTS: A tall (5-11) and strong goal-scorer, Wambach led the NCAA in scoring (31 goals, 14 assists) as a senior in 2001 and is UF's all-time leader in goals (96) and assists (55). She led the U.S. with three goals in the 2003 Women's World Cup, including the game-winner against nemesis Norway in the quarterfinals.
SOFTBALL
CRYSTL BUSTOS
AGE: 26.
CONNECTION: Played at Palm Beach Community College, where she was a two-time NJCAA Player of the Year. Also played for the Orlando Wahoos of the WPSL.
POSITION: Third baseman.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Bustos is one of six 2000 Olympians back. She had a team-best 10 hits, three home runs and five runs scored in the 2000 Games.
KELLY KRETSCHMAN
AGE: 24.
CONNECTION: Hometown is Indian Harbour Beach.
POSITION: Outfield.
HIGHLIGHTS: Kretschman starred in college at Alabama, from which she graduated in 2002. She was an alternate on the 2000 Olympic team. Kretschman was named All-SEC three times. At last year's Canada Cup she hit a team-high .355.
SWIMMING
MARITZA CORREIA
AGE: 22.
CONNECTION: From Valrico and a 1999 Tampa Bay Tech graduate. She trains in Davie with Broward Aquatics.
EVENT: 400 free relay
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Correia won five NCAA titles at Georgia. She holds the American record in the 50-yard free and formerly held the American record in the 100-yard free.
GARY HALL JR.
AGE: 29.
CONNECTION: Lives and trains in Miami.
EVENTS: 50 free; 400 free relay.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Hall won gold in the 50 free and bronze in the 100 free at Sydney and silver in the 50 and 100 free in Atlanta. He joins his father as the only father-son duo to compete for the United States in three Olympics each.
RHI JEFFREY
AGE: 17.
CONNECTION: Delray Beach resident and recent graduate of Atlantic High.
EVENT: 800 free relay.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Jeffrey won two gold medals at the 2003 World Championships as a member of the 400 and 800 free relays. He qualified for the 2000 Olympic Trials as a 13-year-old.
RYAN LOCHTE
AGE: 20.
CONNECTION: Daytona Beach resident and University of Florida junior.
EVENTS: 200 IM; 800 free relay.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Lochte won the 400 IM at the NCAAs this year. He's an 11-time All-American at UF and was the SEC Male Swimmer of the Year in 2003.
TENNIS
JENNIFER CAPRIATI
AGE: 28.
CONNECTION: Lives and trains at Saddlebrook.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: A three-time major champion, Capriati owns two Australian Open and one French Open title. Her most memorable performance might have come at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where she won the gold in singles.
MARDY FISH
AGE: 22.
CONNECTION: Lives in Tampa and trains at Saddlebrook. He was born in Minnesota but moved to Vero Beach when he was 4. Attended high school at Boca Prep.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Fish is one of the sport's rising stars. In one notable effort, he helped lead the U.S. Davis Cup squad past Sweden earlier this year. He also has a victory over legend Andre Agassi in 2004.
MARTINA NAVRATILOVA
AGE: 47.
CONNECTION: Lives in Sarasota.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Navratilova has 58 combined Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles and is still a force in doubles. She arguably is the greatest female player ever. Her first professional win came 30 years ago.
LISA RAYMOND
AGE: 30 (turns 31 on Aug. 10).
CONNECTION: Played at the University of Florida.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: With the Gators, Raymond became the program's most accomplished player, winning NCAA singles championships in 1992 and 1993. She has long been one of the tour's top doubles players.
ANDY RODDICK
AGE: 21.
CONNECTION: Splits time between house in Texas and one in Boca Raton. Roddick's family moved to Boca Raton when he was 10.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: The 2003 U.S. Open champ (he defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final) has become a force on the ATP Tour and is a key member of U.S. Davis Cup team. He reached this year's Wimbledon final and has more than $6-million in career earnings.
VINCENT SPADEA
AGE: 30.
CONNECTION: Lives in Boca Raton.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Spadea made his Davis Cup debut in 2000 and played in the Olympics that same year. He has reached the quarters of a major just once but nonetheless is a steady player capable of winning big matches.
SERENA WILLIAMS
AGE: 22.
CONNECTION: Lives in Palm Beach Gardens.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Six-time major champion was game's most dominant player during 2002 and '03 seasons, winning four straight Grand Slam events during one stretch. She has yet to fully regain her form since having knee surgery last year, but she did reach the Wimbledon final.
VENUS WILLIAMS
AGE: 24.
CONNECTION: Lives in Palm Beach Gardens.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: The former World No. 1 has four major titles and has appeared in 10 Grand Slam singles finals. Williams, however, has been slowed by injuries and is having her worst season in years.
TRACK
JOHN CAPEL
AGE: 25.
CONNECTION: Born and raised in Brooksville, attended University of Florida for two years and trains in Gainesville.
EVENT: Relay pool for 4x100 meters.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: After winning the U.S. Olympic trials, Capel made the finals of the 200 meters in Sydney, only to falter coming out of the blocks and spoil any hopes of winning a medal. He played football at Florida and was drafted by the Chicago Bears, though he never played in the NFL.
HAZEL CLARK
AGE: 26.
CONNECTION: Attended University of Florida, graduating in 2000; now lives in Knoxville, Tenn., where her brother J.J. is Tennessee's women's cross-country coach.
EVENT: 800 meters.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Clark won the 800 meters at the 2000 Olympic trials and finished seventh in Sydney. She won three NCAA indoor titles and two outdoors while at Florida.
ERIN GILREATH
AGE: 23.
CONNECTION: Born in Gainesville; attends University of Florida and lives in nearby Williston.
EVENT: Hammer throw.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Gilreath won the NCAA indoor weight throw in 2003. She's a two-time NCAA All-American in the hammer and weight throw.
CALVIN HARRISON
AGE: 30.
CONNECTION: Born in Orlando.
EVENT: Named to relay pool for 4x400-meter relay.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: He won the gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay at the 2000 Olympics and the 2003 World Championships.
KRISTIN HEASTON
AGE: 28.
CONNECTION: Graduated from the University of Florida in 1998.
EVENT: Shot put.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: The Olympic trials runner-up, Heston won the USA indoor and outdoor championships in the shot put in 2003.
JEARL MILES-CLARK
AGE: 37.
CONNECTION: Born in Gainesville and graduated from Buchholz High; now lives in Knoxville, Tenn., where her husband, J.J. Clark, is Tennessee's women's cross-country coach.
EVENT: 800 meters.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Miles-Clark has medaled in the 4x400-meter relay in the last three Olympics, earning silver in 1992 and golds in 1996 and 2000.
SANYA RICHARDS
AGE: 19.
CONNECTION: Graduated from Fort Lauderdale's St. Thomas Aquinas High in 2002.
EVENT: 400 meters.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: She won the 2003 U.S. and NCAA titles in the 400 meters, the latter as a freshman at the University of Texas. She also repeated her NCAA title this spring. Richards was part of the gold medal 4x400-meter relay at the 2003 World Outdoor Championships.
ROSE RICHMOND (provisional)
AGE: 23
CONNECTION: St. Petersburg resident; former Lakewood High star.
EVENT: Long jump.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Richmond jumped a personal best of 22 feet, 21/4 inches on July 24 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., to meet the Olympic standard. If Akiba McKinney meets the standard before Monday, she will make the team by virtue of a better finish at the U.S. Olympic trials. If not, Richmond is on the team.
SEILALA SUA
AGE: 26.
CONNECTION: Born in Fort Lauderdale; graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
EVENT: Discus.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Sua won the Olympic trials in the discus in 2000 and finished 10th at Sydney. She's a four-time national champion and six-time NCAA champion in the discus.
BERNARD WILLIAMS
AGE: 26.
CONNECTION: Attended University of Florida, graduating in 2000, and trains in Gainesville.
EVENT: 200 meters.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Williams was part of the gold medal winning 4x100-meter relay team in Sydney. He was the 2003 U.S. outdoor 100-meter champion and won gold in the 4x100 relay in the 2001 and 2003 World Championships.
LAURYN WILLIAMS
AGE: 20.
CONNECTION: Presently attending the University of Miami.
EVENT: 100 meters.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Williams was third at the Olympic trials in the 100. She was a gold medal winner at the 2003 Pan American Games in both the 100 and the 4x100-meter relay.
TRIATHLON
HUNTER KEMPER
AGE: 28.
CONNECTION: Grew up in Longwood and attended Lake Brantley High in Altamonte Springs. He has been a regular at the St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg, from the Meek-and-Mighty division (he won its first running in 1988) to recent years when it was an International Triathlon Union World Cup event (he was second in 2001).
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: A four-time national champion and currently No. 5 in the world rankings, he was 17th at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Kemper has five World Cup top-three finishes, including a first at Madrid, Spain, in September 2003 that ended a nine-year drought for American men in World Cup races.
SHEILA TAORMINA
AGE: 35.
CONNECTION: Resides in Clermont, training at the USA Triathlon Training Center.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Won a gold medal in swimming at the 1996 Olympics in the 4x200 freestyle relay, then four years later in Athens was sixth in the inaugural Olympic Triathlon despite having fewer than two years of experience in the sport. Taormina won the 2004 International Triathlon Union World Championship in May in Portugal. She was a four-year All-America swimmer at the University of Georgia.
