Barbora Spotakova

One of the favorites to win gold in the javelin in London, Spotakova is looking to put a couple of recent close calls in major competitions behind her and get back to the top of the podium. She won gold at the Beijing Games with a throw of 71.42 meters and just weeks later set a world record with a toss of 72.28. She had also won gold at the 2007 world championships, but, more recently, has had to settle for silver at both the 2009 and ’11 worlds. Despite failing to reclaim the gold, however, Spotakova performed well at last year's worlds with a throw of 71.58 - which was edged out by Mariya Abakumova's 71.99. This summer will mark the third Olympic appearance for Spotakova, who finished 23rd at the Athens Games eight years ago with a throw of 58.20. She began focusing her training solely on javelin prior to Athens after previously competing in the heptathlon as well. Spotakova was a member of the University of Minnesota track and field team for one season, and was named an all-American in 2002.