London Games to open in troubled times

Phelps versus Lochte

Kenyan athletes, who are expected to dominate the middle and long distances, possess a similar work ethic and equally lofty standards. Public expectations are high while running is one of the few avenues out of rural poverty.

David Rudisha holds the world 800 meters record, once owned by Coe, and plans to go one better than the twice Olympic 1,500 champion and win the Olympic title for himself and his nomadic Maasai tribe.

"Everybody wants to be recognized as Olympic champion, as world champion," he said." That gives us our happiness as athletes."

The first week of the Games ending on Aug 12 and featuring 10,500 athletes from 204 countries taking part in 26 sports will be dominated by another duel between a pair of athletes from the same country.

In Beijing, swimmer Michael Phelps won eight gold medals in eight events to better the Olympic record set by fellow American Mark Spitz. This time he will swim seven races, four individual plus all three relays.

"No one should be expected to do that twice," said coach Bob Bowman. "Once was more than enough. Trust me. It was."

Phelps's main rival will be teammate Ryan Lochte, who won five golds at last year's world championships and who has undergone a gruelling regime out of the pool to build up his strength.

The pair are scheduled to meet in the 400 individual medley on the first day of competition at the London Aquatics Center on Saturday and in the 200 medley on Aug 1.

Phelps, who will retire after the Games, has another record in his sights. Three medals of any color will makes him the most prolific medallist in Games' history ahead of Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina who collected 18.

No single fan, however many dedicated television channels he or she watches, can absorb the entire Olympic spectacle. The beauty of the Games is the prominence it gives to sports which mostly pass unnoticed in the larger world.