21.   Kong Linghui, the reigning world champion from China, captured the French World Cup title last weekend in Nimes, France, by defeating Jorg Rosskopf of Germany.

22.   Kwan skated second Thursday and Sarah Hughes, the reigning world bronze medalist, went fourth.

23.   Many top lifters, including several reigning world champions, did not compete.

24.   Midfielder Luis Figo of Portugal, the reigning world player of the year, was clearly exhausted by halftime of the game against the United States.

25.   One spot is all but ensured for Michael Johnson of Dallas, the reigning outdoor world champion and indoor world-record holder.

26.   Plushenko did not meet the age requirement to compete here, but was granted a waiver because he is the reigning world junior champion.

27.   Rahlves is the reigning world champion in the Super G, but he understood exactly what Sunday was about.

28.   Reid won at the Pan American Games, the U.S. Olympic Festival and a USA-Russia dual match this year, while Hernandez is the reigning world champion.

29.   Romania is the reigning world champion and is led by the disciplined and spectacular Simona Amanar, Maria Olaru and Andreea Raducan.

30.   Reigning world champion Evgeni Pluschenko won the silver medal.