Ole Einar Bjoerndalen (biathlon):

Norwegian Bjoerndalen became the first biathlete ever to sweep the board at the Salt Lake City Games when he claimed all four of his sport's gold medals. With another gold to shoot for this time in the new men's mass start event, reigning world champion Bjoerndalen is intent on moving closer to his predecessor Bjorn Daehlie's record of 12 Olympic medals. At 31 years old Bjoerndalen is showing few signs of slowing down and heads to Turin as still very much the man to beat.

Irina Slutskaya (ice skating):

The Russian is looking to cap a remarkable comeback from a career-threatening heart ailment and finally land Olympic gold. Silver medallist in Salt Lake City four years ago, Slutskaya went on to win the world championships before being forced out of full-time skating for three years due a health scare that still requires medication. Having bounced back to claim another world championship crown in March last year in front of her home fans in Moscow, Slutskaya is a good bet for the Turin title.

Jaromir Jagr (ice hockey):

The legendary New York Rangers winger returned to his best form during the last NHL season and is desperate to reclaim the men's ice hockey gold medal for the Czech Republic. Jagr was a key member of the Czech side which topped the podium at the Nagano Games of 1998 although a team also including the great Dominik Hasek failed to medal last time out. However the signs are Jagr and co are peaking at the right time and will pose a mighty challenge to defending champions Canada.

Giorgio Rocca (alpine skiing):

Rocca always knew he had a lot to live up to when he sought to emulate Italian legend Alberto Tomba and claim Olympic slalom gold. But the shy and retiring Rocca starts a huge favourite to do what his bombastic predecessor never could, and secure his famous victory on home soil. Rocca began the Olympic season in unbeatable fashion, winning the first three World Cup slaloms, and the biggest threat to his place at the top of the podium must simply be the weight of expectation.

Marit Bjoergen (cross-country):

Marit Bjoergen is expected to lead Norway's traditional dominance of the lung-bursting cross-country events in Turin. The 25-year-old emerged as a big favourite last season when she claimed five medals at the world championships to add to her Olympic relay silver in Salt Lake City. And at the start of the current season Bjoergen really came into her own, winning four of the first six World Cup events to establish her dominance at just the right time.

Anni Friesinger (speed skating):

Germany's speed skating queen has history in her sights as she heads to the Turin Games in top form. The 29-year-old Friesinger stands a chance of emulating the great Eric Heiden as only the second speed skater to win an improbable five gold medals at one Olympics. But Friesinger will have to battle for her success with Canada's Cindy Klassen having recently smashed the German's 1,500m world record.