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Olympics Soccer: 5 athletes to watch

The US men did not qualify for the tournament, but Team USA women are among the favorites, and the London Olympics promise a glimpse of some of the world's top stars.  

5. Ryan Giggs, Britain

Chris Helgren/REUTERS/File
Team GB soccer captain Ryan Giggs takes part in a training session near Ashby, England, in July ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The accolades just keep on coming for a player many consider to be the best in English Premier League history. Captaining the British side in these Olympic Games is a special honor to Ryan Giggs. As a Welshman, he has never been to a major international soccer tournament, since the divisions of Britain – England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland – all field their own soccer teams in international tournaments like the World Cup. Wales has never qualified for the World Cup or the European Championships during Giggs's career. In the Olympics, all British athletes competes under the British flag.

The Manchester United winger, now 38, continues to play at a top level. He is the only player to have scored in every season since the English Premier League debuted in 1992. Once renowned for his blistering pace and superb dribbling, Giggs has matured into more of a midfield general, directing traffic from behind the forwards. His goal for Manchester United against Arsenal in the semifinal of the 1999 English FA Cup is considered one of the great goals in English professional soccer history.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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