This year, Brazil is sending the largest delegation of athletes in history: 277 in total, which includes 132 women. The delegation is hoping to increase the number of medals Brazil wins this year, up from the five gold, two silver, and three bronze in Athens. Projections estimate that Brazil could place 13th in terms of medals this year, with six gold, three silver, and four bronze.   

With star athletes and a budget of $125 million, boosted from the national lottery, the Brazilian Olympic Committee has high hopes for Beijing. Brazilian athletes proved themselves at the 2007 Pan Am Games, held in Rio de Janeiro, and won a record 157 medals, so officials expect similar results at the Olympics. In addition, Rio de Janeiro is bidding for the 2016 Olympic Games, and hopes that the country as a whole will prove itself as an Olympic power.

Some athletes to watch for:

• Marta, women's soccer
• Ronaldinho, men's soccer
• Diego Hypolito, men's gymnastics
• Daiane dos Santos, women's gymnastics
• Rodrigo Pessoa, men's equestrian
• Robert Scheidt, men's sailing
• Larissa, women's beach volleyball