ROME (AP) -- Michael Phelps had every reason to be satisfied after the Beijing Olympics. Yet he kept insisting there was more to do in the pool.Swimmer Eric Shanteau found out he had testicular cancer a week before qualifying for the Olympic team, but he postponed treatment so he could compete in Beijing. He's currently cancer-free and has returned to competitive swimming. Click through to see other athletes who have fought cancer.
Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images
Australian soccer star Craig Moore undergoes surgery to battle testicular cancer, but he is expected to make a successful recovery.
Robert Cianflone, Getty Images
Golf legend Seve Ballesteros is in intensive care after doctors removed a cancerous tumor from his brain.
Stuart Franklin, Getty Images
Lance Armstrong survived his bout with testicular cancer and went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles. Armstrong is now planning to make a comeback and chase his eighth crown.
Peter Dejong, AP
Former NBA player Wayman Tisdale, seen here in 2006, had part of his leg amputated because of bone cancer. "This may sound drastic, but I have put it in God's hands and now have peace, knowing that this is the best way to put this disease in check," he said.
Brad Barket, Getty Images
Jim Calhoun underwent 33 radiation sessions over the summer to battle skin cancer, and now the UConn hoops coach expects to be recovered in time for the new season.
Ned Dishman, Getty Images
Maarten van der Weijden, who was given only a slim chance of survival after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2001, swims past the favorites to win a gold medal in one of the most grueling events of the Olympics.
Robert F Bukaty, AP
Bruce Snyder, who has coached football at Arizona State, California and Utah State, admitted in July that he has cancer through a statement released by Arizona State's sports information office.
Tom Hauck, Getty Images
Bobby Murcer, who was one of the most popular figures in Yankees history, died of brain cancer on July 12. He had been diagnosed with the disease on Christmas Eve of 2006.
Julie Jacobson, AP
Less than two months after his surgery for thyroid cancer, Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis made a triumphant return to the mound on May 23, giving up only one run in seven innings.
John Bazemore, AP
If you have a favorite pair of jeans, you know, the ones that never let you down, that fit perfectly, that are just COMFORTABLE, then you know what I'm talking about. Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff are the old, faded, comfortable blue jeans of swimming. I suppose that at some point they're going to stop winning everything and I suppose that at some point they're both going to be like 60 years old and we'll be hearing about the next up-and-coming swimmers. But for now, Phelps and Hoff are about as reliable as swimmers can be in this unpredictable competition we call the Olympic Games.
Phelps downed his own Olympic record, set in his gold-medal race in the Athens game in 2004, by 1.44 seconds and is seeded first for tonight's finals. Fellow American and 2004 silver medalist Ryan Lochte, will be giving Phelps the race of his life tonight. Lochte seems to see himself as Phelps pusher, that by putting pressure on Phelps, Phelps will be more likely to swim faster. And although an upset is always possible, it has gone Phelps, then Lochte, for the last four years. Lochte and Phelps have now trained side-by-side for two Olympics and although they are good teammates and friends, nothing but the gold medal matters when the starting gun goes off. Hungarian Lazlo Czeh, the bronze medalist from the 2004 Games, will also swim in tonight's finals.
We're covering the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials all week.
We're previewing all the races that will take place at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.
Over the next few days I will be previewing the races that will take place at the U.S Olympic Swimming Trials.
Over the next few days I will be previewing the races that will take place at the U.S Olympic Swimming Trials.
Over the next few days I will be previewing the races that will take place at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials. 
Get the latest coverage on your favorite teams thanks to CBS Radio. Listen Now
