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biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i++] = new Array("","Eight Olympians who could turn gold into cash","","http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-oly-080722-phelps.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Joe Raedle", "Getty Images", "298", "210", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
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By David Sweet, contributor
The gold standard
It’s unlikely any Olympian from the China Games will match swimmer Michael Phelps’ endorsement income. Few sports offer the chance for eight gold medals. But here are eight who could be a lot richer after the closing ceremonies.";
biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i++] = new Array("","Nastia Liukin","","http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-oly-080722-liukin.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "David Mcnew", "Getty Images", "298", "210", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i-1].body = "
Nastia Liukin
Age: 18
Hometown: Parker, Texas
Previous Olympic experience: None
Might be a good endorser for: Bank of Moscow
This attractive teen already has appeared on the Today Show. Her story is compelling: Liukin’s father, Valeri, captured gold medals as a gymnast for the Soviet Union a generation ago. She has flourished already with World Championship gold medals in gymnastics and will try to win more in Beijing. From Olga Korbut to Nadia Comaneci to Mary Lou Retton, a star gymnast always seems to grab the spotlight at the Games, and Liukin could be this year’s heroine. She is also the best bet to flourish endorsement-wise in an international market such as Russia, given her background."; biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i++] = new Array("","Alicia Sacramone","","http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-oly-080722-sacramone.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Justin Sullivan", "Getty Images", "298", "210", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i-1].body = "
Alicia Sacramone
Age: 20
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.
Previous Olympic experience: None
Might be a good endorser for: Wheaties
This is a story of redemption. After the gymnast barely missed making the 2004 Olympics squad, she captured the world gymnastics championship the following year in floor exercise. Her moves, infused with personality, she should help lead the U.S. team to a gold medal in Beijing. Along with teammates Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson, she’s inked a pact with CoverGirl. More deals are likely to come after the Games."; biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i++] = new Array("","Jennie Finch","","http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-oly-080722-finch.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Noah Berger", "AP", "298", "210", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i-1].body = "
Jennie Finch
Age: 27
Hometown: La Mirada, Calif.
Previous Olympic experience: 2004
Might be a good endorser for: Disney World
The U.S. women’s softball pitcher – a strikeout machine -- has a leg up on other athletes in a number of respects. She’s appeared in general-interest national publications, from People to Sports Illustrated (in the swimsuit issue), and has worked for ESPN. The blonde graduate of the University of Arizona is a star of a team that has won three consecutive gold medals and – since softball is being booted out of the Olympics after this year – will lead what will surely be an emotional run to a final gold. One drawback: It’s harder for individuals to gain attention in a team sport."; biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i++] = new Array("","Dara Torres","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-oly-080722-torres.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Barry Williams", "Getty Images", "298", "210", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i-1].body = "
Dara Torres
Age: 41
Hometown: Los Angeles
Previous Olympic experience: 2000, 1992, 1988, 1984
Might be a good endorser for: SuperSlow
When fans think of the typical Olympic athlete, few picture a 41-year-old mother. Aside from raising a 2-year-old daughter, the former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model won her first Olympic medal in Los Angeles (in 1984, not 1932). Torres received a slew of endorsement offers even before the Olympic trials, and there’s a good chance she’ll be barraged with more after the Games."; biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i++] = new Array("","Jeff Hartwig","","http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-oly-080722-hartwig.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Kiichiro Sato", "AP", "298", "210", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i-1].body = "
Jeff Hartwig
Age: 40
Hometown: St. Charles. Mo.
Previous Olympic experience: 1996
Might be a good endorser for: Viagra
The pole vaulter’s name may stir vague memories among fans. After all, he competed in the 1996 Atlanta Games. But he hasn’t been heard from since. Now heading to Beijing at age 40, he has the potential to be a feel-good story and snag the interest of companies selling products to a mature crowd."; biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i++] = new Array("","Eric Shanteau","","http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-oly-080722-shanteau.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Mark Lennihan", "AP", "298", "210", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i-1].body = "
Eric Shanteau
Age: 24
Hometown: Liburn, Ga.
Previous Olympic experience: None
Might be a good endorser for: Merck
Just before the U.S. swimming trials in Omaha, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The fact the swimmer has foresworn surgery until after Beijing makes him an ideal candidate for emotional stories during the Games."; biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i++] = new Array("","Natalie Coughlin","","http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-oly-080722-coughlin.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "John Bazemore", "AP file", "298", "210", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i-1].body = "
Natalie Coughlin
Age: 25
Hometown: Vallejo, Calif.
Previous Olympic experience: 2004
Might be a good endorser for: Ralph Lauren
Coughlin performed sensationally during the Athens Games, bringing home five medals. That won’t be possible in Beijing, where she qualified for only four events. Still, the 25-year-old was appealing enough to be promoted by NBC even before the U.S. swimming trials, where she ended up setting a world mark. "; biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i++] = new Array("","Queen Quedith Earth Harrison","","http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/brill-oly-070822-harrison.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Stephen J. Carrera", "AP", "298", "210", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); biz_boto_eight_to_watch_070828[i-1].body = "
Queen Quedith Earth Harrison
Age: 19
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
Previous Olympic experience: None
Might be a good endorser for: Gatorade
Her four names may be a mouthful for announcers, but at the same time it makes the Virginia Tech sophomore instantly recognizable. The Olympic hurdler overcame an injury to qualify for the Games. If she can shine on the Beijing track, she should get a lot of attention, especially considering she’s one of the youngest U.S. Olympians at 19. (The Beijing Games are being broadcast by NBC television. Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)
";
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