World's Best Athlete? Never Heard of Her

Phelps, Bolt, Xiang take sport's center stage

(NEWSER) - Competing in 20 Olympic events and going for a record eight gold medals, American swimming phenom Michael Phelps is first off the block in the BBC's list of 10 to watch in Beijing. Here are some of the others:

• Natalie du Toit: This South African swimmer and Paralympic gold-medalist will make a splash as the first female amputee to compete at the Summer Games.

Ageless US swimmer makes a splash in the record books

(NEWSER) - Dara Torres swam her way into the history books with a victory in the women's 100-meter freestyle trials last night, reports the New York Times. The 41-year-old will be the first five-time swimmer in Olympic history. She shot past 25-year-old American record holder Natalie Coughlin to finish in 53.78 seconds—almost 5 seconds faster than when she first qualifed in 1984. More»

Summer heat hospitalizes 12 competitors

(NEWSER) - A heatwave took its toll on yesterday's New York City triathlon, with one 31-year-old man rushed to the hospital in critical condition after he collapsed just short of the finish line, and 11 other competitors hospitalized. Some 3,000 people competed in temperatures reaching close to 95 degrees. As might be expected for a triathlon that takes place in July in New York City, this isn't the first time heat has been a problem. In 2008, 26 people were hospitalized and one died, the New York Daily News reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Michael Phelps’ suspension ended today, and the swimmer is back in the pool preparing for a tourney next week in Charlotte, the AP reports. The Olympian said he was actually unaware of the end of the 3-month ban, imposed after photos emerged of him hitting a bong. “I had no idea,” he said. But he’s happy to be competing again, for the first time since his stunning success at the Beijing Olympics. More»

Bolt has only minor scratches

(NEWSER) - Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt walked away from a car accident in Jamaica with no apparent injuries except a thorn in his foot. The world champion sprinter crashed his BMW M3—a gift from sponsor Puma for his performance in Beijing—after speeding down a wet highway, the Guardian reports. But Bolt, 22, may miss an invitational meet this weekend as a result. More»