Beijing 2008: LOCAL TO WATCH: CHAUNTE HOWARD

A Decatur resident and former Georgia Tech track star, Howard begins her quest for a medal in the women’s high jump Wednesday. She participated in the 2004 Games, becoming the first Tech women’s track and field athlete to compete in the Olympics. Howard, who finished first in this year’s Olympic trials, was the U.S. indoor and outdoor champion and top-ranked U.S. women’s high jumper in 2005 and 2006 before she became pregnant. Her daughter, Jasmine, was born July 30, 2007. She was a three-time NCAA high-jump champion at Tech.