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Jennie Finch works with head coach Mike Candrea on her swing in Chula Vista, Calif., in January. Finch, along with 14 others, was named to the 2004 U.S. Olympic softball team that will defend its gold medal this summer in Athens. (Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY)

No. 8. Softball

The closest thing to the Yankees-Red Sox in the Olympics? The U.S. vs. Australia in women's softball. The Americans lost to the Aussies in the early rounds in Sydney, then stormed back to win the gold medal. Later, they edged Australia 4-3 in the world championships.

The United States just finished a summer tour 54-0, but in the end, it will probably still have to beat Australia again. And the Americans have another cause now, too. The wife of Coach Mike Candrea suddenly died of a brain aneurysm during the tour in July.

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Or choose from the list:

• 1 | Michael Phelps - Swimmer
• 2 | The shot put
• 3 | Men's basketball
• 4 | Marion Jones - Track and field
• 5 | Gymnastics
• 6 | Rulon Gardner - Wrestler
• 7 | The 100-meter dash
• 8 | Softball
• 9 | Women's soccer
• 10 | Marathon

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