FanHouse Natalie Coughlin

The biggest star to emerge from the pool at this year's Summer Olympics won't be Michael Phelps or Natalie Coughlin or any of the other swimmers who could win multiple golds in Beijing.

No, the biggest star -- the name everyone will be talking about in August -- isn't a record-setting swimmer but the swimsuit that the record-setting swimmers are sure to be wearing: The Speedo LZR Racer, which forces swimmers' bodies into an aerodynamic shape and repels water as they swim. As of the time I'm writing this, 44 world records have been broken this year by swimmers wearing the LZR Racer, and by the time you read this, that number may have gone up.

But there's a fundamental issue that the LZR Racer poses: Aren't the Olympics supposed to be about who's the best athlete, not who has the best technology?

We're previewing all the races that will take place at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.

Women's 100 Meter Freestyle

What to watch for: Like the men, this is our first introduction to the sprinters on the women's side. The top ten seeds in this event read like a who's who of American swimming. Watch for a powerful kick and stroke that doesn't shorten even pushing into the finish. Like the 50 meter freestyle, there's little time to make up for a mistake, so a poor start will likely leave anyone out of the top two spots.

What it takes: Natalie Coughlin is on a high from setting the world record in the 100 meter backstroke yesterday and is relaxed because she already knows she's going to Beijing. Not only will Coughlin be a contender here, but Olympic veterans Amanda Weir, Kara Lynn Joyce, and Dara Torres will all be vying for a spot as well.

Unlikely underdogs: Not that Dara Torres is actually an underdog per se, but as the sixth seed, she's going to have a tough road to go to swim the 100 free as an individual event in Beijing. Torres' event is the shorter 50 meter freestyle, but don't count her out here.

My prediction: Coughlin will add another event and she'll be joined by Georgia Bulldog Joyce.

We're covering the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials all week.

At the Olympic Trials, first is first, second is first, and third is last.

For a little while on Monday, Haley McGregory was holder of the fastest 100 meter backstroke in history. But she won't get to swim the event in Beijing.

Since the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Natalie Coughlin has always held the world record in the women's 100 meter backstroke. During the morning's preliminaries, Coughlin was dethroned by McGregory, who broke Coughlin's most recent record set in February. McGregory enjoyed the title of world record holder for about two minutes. In the following heat, Coughlin reclaimed her world record title, setting the stage for a dramatic finals tonight.

Over the next few days we will be previewing the races that will take place at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.

Women's 200 Meter Individual Medley

What to watch for: This event is like four drag races in one. Each leg of the race is a knock-down-drag-out battle and in order to put together a great race the swimmer needs to have a burst of speed for each stroke. There is no room for weakness here. On the other hand, put too much effort into any one leg without thinking of the others and expect to see a swimmer run out of gas towards the end. This is one of the most exciting races of the trials to watch.

What it takes: Natalie Coughlin has another first seed here, but she's followed closely by Katie Hoff. Hoff has more experience in this event and is better known for her ability to swim a variety of strokes. But then again Coughlin has the experience and maturity in her favor. In the end it's going to be a head-to-head battle between these two.

Unlikely underdogs: Watch for Julia Smit, who is currently seeded eighth. The Stanford swimmer has made a break onto the international scene recently, including a gold medal in this event at the 2007 Pan Pacific Championships and may surprise us.

My prediction: Coughlin and Hoff will team up to give us a show in Beijing of precision and pure speed.

Olympic athletes often don't get paid to do anything other than look good. In that vein, Attractive Olympians handicaps which athletes may rake in endorsement deals after the Olympics.

Natalie Coughlin is the first woman to break the one-minute barrier in the 100-meter backstroke, an 11-time U.S. national champion, and the only female swimmer other than Dara Torres to win five medals at a single Olympiad. For most of the last seven years, she has been the best female backstroker in the world.

Coughlin (pronounced COG-lin) has impeccable credentials as a world-class athlete, but here at FanHouse we ask the tough questions. Sometimes that forces us to look past a person's laundry list of professional accomplishments and say, "Yes, but is she attractive?"

We examine attractive Olympians carefully and ask you, the reader, to unapologetically indulge in superficial matters. Another photo, analysis, and the all-important poll after the jump.