Winter Olympics: Six Names to light up the games

ISAAC MENYOLI
(Cameroon)
Cameroon – snowless Cameroon – is not best known for its winter Olympians, but this 29-year-old architecture student decided to become its first by taking up cross-country skiing. Menyali's motivation was to raise his profile sufficiently to promote education about Aids, which has claimed the lives of several of his friends. He has spent $15,000 in qualifying through races in Alaska and Canada. Will be last – but definitely not least. The Eddie the Eagle of 2002?

MICHELLE KWAN
(United States)
Despite winning five world figure skating titles, not to mention the hearts of the United States public, this graceful Olympian of Chinese origin has failed to gain the glory that would crown her career. Four years ago in Nagano Kwan skated correctly but cautiously, and was beaten to the Olympic gold by the hyperactive 15-year-old, Tara Lipinski. It will not happen again – Lipinski has since retired. At 21, Kwan is determined to go one better in a sport that favours the youth.

STEPHAN EBERHARTER
(Austria)
After years following in the tracks of his extravagantly talented Austrian compatriot Hermann Maier, Eberharter has emerged as the top man at the age of 32. Eberharter's rise to favouritism was made possible by the motorbike accident which shattered "The Herminator's" leg last year. This quiet and popular athlete now has realistic chances of winning three Olympic titles on the Snowbasin slopes. Can Eberharter take his belated opportunity?

YANG YANG (A)
(China)
China has never won a medal in a Winter Olympics, but in this 25-year-old short track speed skater they have an outstanding chance of doing so. Known as Yang Yang (A) to avoid confusion with her colleague Yang Yang (S), she has dominated the last five world championships and is favourite to win the 1,000 metres title in Salt Lake City. A gold would make up for the controveries she caused at Nagano when she was dis- qualified twice for blocking.

APOLO OHNO
(USA)
With his epic punk persona, Ohno could end the Salt Lake Games as a big name, given that he has chances to win in each of his four events, as well as the relay. As a teenager, Ohno began running with gangs in his native Seattle, but his Japanese father, Yuki, redirected his energies to skating, even though Ohno – bound for a training camp in Lake Placid – fled the airport on his first attempt to travel. Cleared of easing up to allow a friend into the team, he now faces a test of nerve.

DOMINIC HASEK
(Czech Republic)
Four years ago in Nagano, the ice hockey goaltender known as "The Dominator" was the rock on which the Czech Republic's gold medal performance was founded. Against a Canadian team which featured the extraordinary talents of Wayne "The Great One" Gretzky, who was making a farewell appearance, Hasek saved all five penalty shots in the over-time shoot-out. Now a 36-year-old, he is performing as well as ever as the Czechs seek to hoard their gold.