The 2008 Beijing Olympics open in exactly one year, and between now and then there will be a lot of talk about the changes being made to the city, the poor human rights situation, and about balancing the modern with the contemporary. Athletes who normally perform under the radar in sports that do not get a lot of exposure will become national treasures.

At the moment, it appears that it will be Gidi Kliger and Udi Gal's year. The windsurfing duo do not particularly enjoy the pressure, but they are currently the leading candidates to return from Beijing with a medal, despite not yet having officially qualified.

Medal-winners can be split up into three groups: those for whom not winning is considered a failure; those who are able to achieve something if they have a good day or favorable draw; and those that surpass and surprise against all expectations. Four out of Israel's six Olympics medals so far can be placed in the first group - Yael Arad's silver in 1992 at Barcelona, Michael Kolganov's bronze in 1996 at Sydney, and Gal Fridman's gold and Arik Ze'evi's bronze in 2004 at Athens.