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Team U.S.A.

Kathryn R. Hoffman

It's the honor of a lifetime to represent your country at the Olympics. More than 200 American athletes will have that honor in Salt Lake City. Meet four U.S. competitors who have what it takes to win.

Eric Bergoust, 32, is flying high! Last week, the world-champion freestyle aerialist was named to the U.S. Olympic team. It will be his third trip to the Games. Triple flips and tricky twists earned Bergoust the gold in 1998. This year, he's going for the perfect aerial, "that jump I see in my mind."

Bode Miller, 24, is on a white-hot streak. In December, he became the first American man in nearly 20 years to win a World Cup giant slalom race. In giant slalom, a skier zigzags down a mountain through gates. Miller has won three World Cup slalom races since then and is hoping for an Olympic win. "I feel ready for it," he says.

Tristan Gale is aiming for an Olympic medal in skeleton, a headfirst, high-speed race down a bobsled chute. She is sure to be a hometown favorite. Gale, 21, grew up in Salt Lake City. Sure, winning is great, but Gale says half the thrill is getting there. "Sliding is the most fun," she told TFK last week. "It's a great ride from start to finish."

Lyndsay Wall scored a big goal this summer. Lyndsay earned a spot on the U.S. Women's Hockey Team. At 16, she is the team's youngest member, but she is not out of her league. Lyndsay's stellar performance with the Syracuse Stars, a team for players younger than 19, helped the Stars win a national championship. Her new goal: Olympic gold!

Next: Off to the Olympics