Africa at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Africans will be well represented at the Beijing Olympics. For many of the continent's amateur athletes the Olympics are the only chance they get to compete on the world stage. If you're traveling in Africa this summer it's worth knowing why the Ugandans will be watching badminton, why South Africans will be riveted during the long distance swimming and why the Kenyans expect to win several gold medals in track and field.

Several African countries can't afford to send more than a couple of athletes to Beijing, while others like Ethiopia have a healthy track and field contingent who will very likely bring home several medals. There are athletes from Darfur, proud to run for Sudan, and a one-legged swimmer making history for South Africa.

Find out more about Africa in the Olympic Games .....

_{Image -- Pamela Jelimo, a star 800m runner from Kenya -- © Shaun/Botterill/Getty Images}