100 Olympic Athletes To Watch

Beijing 2008

81. Donny Robinson

Doug Pensinger / Getty
Article Tools

Cycling
United States
Age: 25

Robinson's a top rider in BMX racing, the latest "extreme" sport to find a spot in the Olympics; it's basically cyclists sprinting on a dirt, and features a series of jumps and hairpin turns. You know, NASCAR on bikes. "It's like going down a roller coaster on a bicycle," Robinson says. "It's the biggest rush we've ever felt." Robinson, a 5-ft. 5-in. energy burst, eschews the stereotypical biker dude image: he doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, and has dreams to make it on Broadway. But before landing on the Great White Way, he's looking to match the mainstream success of a fellow extreme athlete, snowboarder Shaun "The Flying Tomato" White. Says Robinson: "That guy is where I want to be."

See Full List

Video

LeBron James: Leader of the Redeem Team

TIME's Sean Gregory shoots hoops with the Cleveland Cavalier superstar, who promises the US Olympic basketball team will take the gold in Beijing

Podcast

Olympians to Watch

TIME's Sean Gregory talks about the stories behind the olympians to watch at the Beijing games