Cox News Service

BEIJING — For the third straight Olympics, U.S. swimming star Michael Phelps likely won’t march in the opening ceremonies tonight, since heats for the 400 individual medley are the next day. Expect it to be one of the few times he won’t be the center of attention.

But while Phelps’ possible run toward eight gold medals will garner most of the attention, here are five other medal pursuits worth watching:

U.S. men’s basketball

After going 24-0 with three golds in three Olympics, NBA stars apparently became as bored with the act as we did. Several players turned down invitations in Athens in 2004. The ones who did show up must have been there for the shoe contract. They lost to Puerto Rico, went 5-3 and left Greece battered and bronzed.

But at least now they’re a compelling story again. Longtime NBA executive Jerry Colangelo was enlisted to tear things down and locate a heartbeat. The result is a roster that includes Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwight Howard. The first test should be interesting: Yao Ming and China.

Shawn Johnson

Looking for the next Mary Lou Retton? Johnson, the reigning all-around world champion, might be the best U.S. women’s gymnast we’ve seen since Retton won gold in 1984. But here’s what must really unnerves people in China. A major source of motivation for Johnson in these Games is that both of her coaches (Liang Chow and Liwen Zhuang) are natives of Beijing. The U.S. and China women are expected to battle for team gold.

Katie Hoff

She made news by making it onto the Olympic swim team as a 15-year-old in 2004, then hyperventilated on the deck before her heat in the 400 IM and finished fifth. After winning three golds (including a world record in the 400 IM) in last year’s World Championships, Hoff is expected to do considerably better this time. She’ll swim in six events and has a chance to win all of them.

Tyson Gay

There are few titles as coveted as “fastest man in the world.” Unfortunately, nobody can be certain what Gay is now. He swept the 100 and 200 in the worlds and was given a chance to do the same in Beijing. But he injured his hamstring during the 200 in the U.S. trials, which not only knocked him out of that event but has led some to wonder about the 100. He says he is fine. Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt of Jamaica might have something to say about that.

Dara Torres

She is a five-time Olympian, 41 and a mom — not data often listed in the bio of a 50-free swimmer in the Games. It’s no wonder so many wonder if Torres has been helped by chemicals. But she has challenged any and all to test her, and until something comes back positive — or her name pops up in another BALCO investigation — we have to assume this is just one of the more amazing stories in Olympic history.