31.   France are considered a medal hope here, with Brazil overwhelming favourites for the gold.

32.   Helminen expects to have a defensive role on a checking line for a team whose medal hopes were dimmed by the loss of captain Saku Koivu.

33.   Indian shooting coach Sunny Thomas is busy performing a delicate balancing act with pistol prodigy Jaspal Rana, his chief medal hope at the Commonwealth Games.

34.   Australia, defending champions Germany and the United States all have medal hopes.

35.   But Parrella lost on Tuesday, virtually destroying his gold medal hopes.

36.   China has sent its largest contingent yet to the Salt Lake City Games, beginning Thursday, with the gold medal hopes headiest in speed and figure skating events.

37.   Daron Rahlves boosted the Olympic skiing medal hopes of the United States by finishing fourth in the Super-G.

38.   European indoor Euro winner Dalton Grant and Australian Tim Forsyth, another medal hope, also qualified.

39.   World show jumping champion Franke Sloothaak sprained his wrist in a fall Thursday, but his German teammates kept alive their gold medal hopes.

40.   Leung Yat-ho is their best gold medal hope this time.