With only 26 days to go before the opening day in Beijing, athletes from around the world are getting ready for show time.

Swimming fans around the world will hardly be surprised if Michael Phelps picks up a few more medals in Beijing.

The 23-year-old won eight medals in Athens fours year ago, six of them gold. Just last month, with the help of his teammates, the American swimming ace broke nine world records in the US Swimming Championship.

Phelps will train in Singapore later this month, before coming to Beijing in early August.

Also on Team USA, the 2007 World Gymnastics All-around Champion Shawn Johnson is recovering from a leg injury. She's considered a top contender in the Beijing Games.

Allyson Felix is another odds-on favorite. But she's facing a serious challenge from Jamaican sprinter Campbell Brown, who will be vying against her in the 200-meter dash.

Brown is now training with American runner Tyson Gay, in the hope of boosting her performance in Beijing.

On the Netherlands, World Dressage Champion Anky van Grunsven is a gold medal hopeful in the equestrian events.

She won gold in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. This "rider of the century", as she is known to her European fans, says she's aiming for a third consecutive Olympic victory in Hong Kong.

Dutch field and track athlete Rutgar Smith is another likely winner in both javelin and shot put. He's the only athlete who has ever won both events in previous competitions.