September 11, 2000

SI's Sydney Games preview shone the spotlight on eight luminous athletes -- including Belarussian gymnast Ivan Ivankov -- who would have a chance to strike gold and gild their careers with their first Olympic titles. SI's Phil Taylor wrote of U.S. basketball team point guard Jason Kidd, "On the Dream Team's cruise to the gold medal, Kidd, 27, will be the social director, making sure none of his teammates is left out of the fun."

Photograph by Peter Read Miller