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New York, New York The biggest sporting event in the world is days away and the media just keep whacking us over the head with Brett Favre "updates." The Olympics might not carry the significance it once did, but the Beijing Games are still worthy of a decent preview. To keep our readers in the loop, we've highlighted the ten biggest storylines for the 2008 Games: 10. Out With The Old… Softball and baseball have been voted out of the 2012 Games. While baseball is an afterthought, this is the highest level of softball competition and will be a crushing blow to young softball players everywhere. And for the guys, this could be the last time you see Jennie Finch! It probably didn't help softball's cause that the United States has completely annihilated its competition so far. The U.S. has won all three gold medals and won all nine games in Athens by a combined score of 51-1. 9. …In With The New BMX racing will be the highlight of Beijing for the extreme sports enthusiasts. After watching the Winter Olympics capture a younger audience with snowboarding, summer officials hope BMX will have the same effect. If you've never seen it before, strap in. It's 30 seconds of train-wreck television full of bruises and broken bones. And remember the name Kyle Bennett – the U.S. favorite to claim gold. 8. Speed Racer As if there weren't enough controversy already. Speedo's new suit introduced in February, the LZR Racer, has helped swimmers continuously destroy world records for the last five months. Four years in the making and designed in part by NASA, it cuts down on "drag" and reduces times by up to 2-percent – an eternity in the swimming world. Critics are calling it "drugs on a hanger" and "technological doping" and just add another layer of drama in Beijing. 7. Pride of China NBA star Yao Ming is the face of the Games and the People's Republic is counting on that megawatt smile to give off a good image. Track star Liu Xiang is China's other Olympic hero and the first-ever male Chinese track and field gold medalist. The reigning 110-meter hurdle champion is being told that if he doesn't repeat, "all of his previous achievements will become meaningless." How's that for pressure? 6. World's Fastest Man It used to be the event of the Games. But drug scandals have ravished track and field in recent years. Justin Gatlin, the defending 100-meter champion, is barred from Beijing for doping. But with plenty of intrigue, this is an opportunity for the event to shine. American's Tyson Gay and Jamaica's Asafa Powell are the favorites – and they're not exactly BFFs. And don't forget about Usain "Lightning" Bolt, the 21-year old Jamaican who recently set the event's world record in his fifth try! 5. "Queens of Gymnastics" That's what world-famous gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi is calling U.S. women's gymnasts Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin. These two give the Americans a great chance to capture their first team gold since Kerri Strug nailed her one-legged vault in Atlanta. With many of the competitors in their teens, there's no more pressure in the Olympics than women's gymnastics and figure skating – a fact they are rightfully criticized for.
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