Simone Biles (USA)
Sport: Gymnastics.
Her story: Might as well start right at the top. Biles is the GOAT, and odds-on to be the most popular and dominant athlete at the Tokyo Olympics. She is brilliant, innovative, special — let’s all just cheer for her.
Laura Kenny (Great Britain)
Sport: Cycling.
Her story: Kenny, nee Trott, is the most successful British female Olympian with a perfect four gold medals from four attempts. The 29-year-old speedster is tough and fast, the perfect combination on the track. Her husband, Jason, has six gold medals of his own.
Naomi Osaka (Japan)
Sport: Tennis.
Her story: Withdrew from the French Open and sat out Wimbledon with mental health concerns but everyone — especially in the host nation — hopes the superstar will light up the Olympic courts.
Katie Ledecky (USA)
Sport: Swimming.
Her story: The queen of the pool won five gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and has broken 14 world records. Gunning to back up her 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle victories and will also be favoured to win the 1500m freestyle. The Phelps era has finished; it’s Ledecky time.
Ariarne Titmus (Australia)
Sport: Swimming.
Her story: But watch out, Ledecky. Here comes a new Australian sensation. Titmus (20), nicknamed ‘‘The Terminator’’, swam the second-fastest 200m freestyle and 400m freestyle in history last month.
Janja Garnbret (Slovenia)
Sport: Climbing.
Her story: The best female athlete you’ve never heard of. But after watching Garnbret clamber up the wall when sport climbing makes its Olympic debut, you will remember her name.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica)
Sport: Track and field
Her story: It’s bye-bye Bolt and hello to another Caribbean sprint sensation. But of course Fraser-Pryce has long been a star in her own right. The pocket rocket is looking to become the first woman to win the 100m at three different Olympics. And at 34, she would be the oldest sprint champion in Olympic history.
Sky Brown (Great Britain)
Sport: Skateboarding
Her story: Could be absolutely unbelievable. Little Sky is just 13, and becomes the youngest British Olympian of all time. Fractured her skull last year, but has fought back to rank third in the world in the park boarding discipline. Born in Japan, too, so is bound to be popular — if only fans were allowed.
Sue Bird (USA)
Sport: Basketball.
Her story: A legend of the hardcourt. Bird (40) and team-mate Diana Taurasi (39) are poised to become the first basketball players to win five Olympic golds.
Lisa Carrington (NZ)
Sport: Canoe/kayak.
Her story: Got to have a Kiwi on this list. Dame Valerie Adams is still going strong, the women’s rowing eight and women’s sevens are favoured for gold medals, and Dunedin’s own Erika Fairweather will make a splash. But Carrington is queen, and will almost certainly be bringing home more gold medals.
