ERIC SHANTEAU

The swimmer from Parkview High School begins his medal pursuit in the national spotlight because of his battle with testicular cancer. Starting Tuesday he gets a chance to change the focus to his performance in the water as he competes in the 200-meter breaststroke. While at Auburn, Shanteau won All-America honors 11 times. He also has four medals at the U.S. national championships and two at the World University Games. At the Olympic trials last month, Shanteau recorded a personal-best 2:10.24 in the semifinals.

ALLISON SCHMITT

An incoming freshman at the University of Georgia, Schmitt begins competition in the 200-meter freestyle today. Then Wednesday, she and her teammates take part in the 800-meter freestyle relay. Schmitt, who is from Canton, Mich., finished sixth in the U.S. nationals in 2007 in the 200 free and 10th in the 400 free. Her coach at Georgia, Jack Bauerle, will get a close look at her in Beijing as the coach of the U.S. women's team. She finished second to Katie Hoff in the 200-meter freestyle at the Olympic trials with a time of 1:55.92.