The Olympics only come once every four years, which means you only get one month, every four years, to watch some serious Olympic eye candy compete in some of the most scrutinized sporting event known to man.
And there is definitely eye candy. The training and dedication that goes into being an Olympic athlete is no simple undertaking. It takes a certain person to push their bodies to these limits, and we’re thankful for that. Because in the end, Olympic athletes are hot.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 20 athletes to watch at this year’s games. Don’t get confused. This list isn’t based on skill, it’s purely based on looks.
20. Dara Torres , USA, Swimmer
At 41-years-old, Dara Torres defies the parameters of age. She will be the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympics, but you couldn't tell just by looking at her. She already has nine Olympic medals (four golds) and is hungry for more in Beijing.
19. Jennie Finch , USA, Softball
Softball is not particularly well followed, but somehow everyone knows who pitcher Jennie Finch is. Maybe it's the fact that she modeled for the 2005 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, or that she appeared on the magazine's cover in a tank top and mini skirt. Either way, she's single handedly made softball popular just by suiting up. Oh, and did we mention she's awesome? She led the 2004 US Women's softball team to a gold medal in 2004 and is looking for a repeat in Beijing.
18. Michael Phelps , USA, Swimmer
For a young athlete, he's only 23, Michael Phelps has accomplished a lot, and that's why people love him. Well, that and his amazing body (thank you swimming!) Phelps holds World Records in several events. Beijing will be his third Olympics, and he's qualified for eight events.
17. Ana Ivanovic , Serbia, Tennis
Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic doesn't just look good in a tennis skirt, she's got the skill and stats to show that she's not just another pretty female tennis player. She recently snagged the No. 1 spot on the WTA Tour after winning the French Open.
16. Kelly Sotherton , Great Britain, Athletics
This Brit is no joke. Kelly Sotherton is a heptathlete, which means she's a multi-talented track and field athlete. Her one event includes the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin throw and then is finished off with a 800m race. She's hoping to win gold in Beijing.
15. Charlotte Craig , USA, Taekwando
There's something hot about a girl that can kick some serious ass, and Charlotte Craig can do just that. She's looking for gold in Beijing, and she just might take it home. She took first place at the Olympic trials. Interesting fact, when Craig was an infant she ha a kidney removed and her parents were instructed not to let her participate in contact sports. Well, she obviously didn't take her doctor's advice, but look at where she is now.
14. LeBron James , USA, Basketball
LeBron James is pretty much a household name in the US, but he's about to become one worldwide. Although this is his second Olympics, the team only took home a bronze medal in 2004, and now they want gold.
13. Amanda Beard , USA, Swimming
You can't write an article about hot Olympic athletes and leave out Amanda Beard. The US swimmer, who masters the breaststroke, has appeared in FHM, Sports Illustrated and bared it all for Playboy. Beijing will be her fourth Olympics and she's looking to add to her ever-growing collection of gold medals.
12. Troy Dumais , USA, Diving
Troy Dumais can thank the rigorous training involved in professional diving for his chiseled body, and so can we. Bred from a family of athletes, his father was a professional hockey and tennis player. Dumais was on the 2004 Olympic team, but failed to medal. He hopes to return to the US with a shiny gold medal draped around his neck.
11. Rita Dravucz, Hungary, Water Polo
Hungarian water polo player Rita Dravucz kind of breaks the mold. Her tall slender form seems more suited for a model, then an athlete. She competed for her countries team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, but they failed to medal.
10. Lauren Jackson, Australia, Basketball
It's hard to be hot, when you're a 6-foot, 5-inch girl, but Lauren Jackson makes it work. Around Australia Jackson is considered to be the best, and her skills as a forward have lead the Australian team to two silver medals in 2000 and 2004.
9. Susanna Kallur , Sweden, Athletics
Susanna Kallur is a master of sprint hurdles. But, athletic genes run in her family, her father, Anders Kallur, won four Stanley Cup championships with the New York Islanders. This will be her first trip to the Olympics after failing to make the cut in 2004.
8. Ryan Lochte, USA, Swimming
Keep an eye out for Ryan Lochte. This is his second Olympic games, after taking home the silver medal in the 200m Medley in 2004. His preferred stroke is the backstroke, but he also competes in the individual medley, and is serious competition for Michael Phelps.
7. Tatiana Golovin , France, Tennis
People love female tennis players, and Tatiana Golovin is quickly gaining international appeal. This will be the French tennis star's first Olympic games, and she's looking to bring home the gold. At only 20-years-old Golovin's highest singles ranking to date is 12.
6. Victoria Pendleton, Great Britain, Cycling
Strip off all that spandex and the goofy helmet and you've got a seriously attractive female cyclist. Victoria Pendleton finished sixth in the women's time trial and ninth in the women's 200m sprint at the 2004 Olympics. After her performance, she seriously considered hanging up her bike for good, but she just couldn't do it. She's back, and she wants a medal, bad.
5. Taylor Phinney, USA, Cyclist
Taylor Phinney is young, barely 18, but he looks like a seasoned cyclist on the track. He specializes in individual pursuit, and has already taken the title of Junior World Champion. Cycling is in his genes, his father, Davis Phinney is a former professional racing cyclist and his mother, Connie Phinney, is a former Olympic gold medal racing cyclist and speed skater. Is it any wonder this kid is awesome?
4. Laure Manaudou , France, Swimming
Even before French swimmer Laure Manaudou had scandalous pictures leaked to the Internet, she was hot. She's already an Olympic gold medalist, and although she's had a tough year, she's looking to repeat her success in Beijing.
3. Stephanie Rice , Australia, Swimmer
Australia breeds attractive swimmers. Maybe it's the fact that it's surrounded by water, or maybe Australians just like to swim, but some pretty hot swimmers have come from down under. Stephanie Rice is one of them. At only 20-years-old she already holds the world record in the 200m individual medley. In Beijing she'll compete in the 200m and 400m individual medleys and the 4x200m freestyle relay.
2. Justin Spring, USA, Gymnastics
Beijing will be this 24-year-old Texan's first trip to the Olympics. But Justin Spring has already established himself as a strong gymnast. He's competed with the US National team since 2005.
1. Heather Mitts , USA, Soccer
A defender on the 2008 US Olympic soccer team, Heather Mitts also helped the US win gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. She's no stranger to topping athletic "hot" lists, in 2004, she was named Hottest Female Athlete by the users of ESPN.com. When not on the field you can catch her as a reporter on ESPN2 She also does some Major League Soccer coverage for ABC, and is a columnist for ESPN Soccernet.
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