Many athletes from across the globe see the Olympic Games as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the ultimate reward for years of training.
Previous medal winners are looking forward to reliving their glory, while newcomers are hoping to make themselves known on the world stage.
Liu Xiang, former 110m hurdles Olympic champion: "I'm already an Olympic champion, so I don't fear anything and I don't think about things anymore. All I want now is some sort of result. It would be all right for me if I can just do a good job during the Games."
Donovan Batley, former 100m Olympic Champion: "The guy that can make most mistakes and win is Usain Bolt. So it looks like its going to be tough."
Maurice Greene, former 100m Olympic champion: "Obviously I am a little biased I would love Tyson Gay to win, it's going to be a great race."
Chellsie Memmel, USA gymnast: "You know, we can't really control anything about it or take out focus off what we need to do."
Liang Qiao, USA Gymnastics coach: "I think it turns both ways: own game and perform your routines."
Tom Daley, 14-year-old British diver: "It has always been my dream to win an Olympic medal but I did not expect it to happen here I would like to work a bit harder going into London 2012 and see what happens then."
Blake Aldridge, Daley's diving partner: "I am lucky that me and Tom are partnered, together from the very start."
(CCTV August 9, 2008)
