From mighty China who are aiming to repeat their medal-laden triumph of four years ago to war-weary Afghanistan who are just glad to be back, Asia is gearing up for the greatest sporting show on Earth.
The world's most populous continent, Asia has rarely punched its weight at the Olympics, with only seven nations finishing inside the top 50 on the medal standings at the 2000 Sydney Games.
But few other regions will field as diverse a collection of athletes as Asia, which is sending one of its biggest ever contingents to Athens.
The ranks have been bolstered by the welcome return to the fold of Afghanistan and the debut of tiny East Timor, taking part for the first time since the country's full independence in May 2002.
Afghanistan last competed in the Olympics in 1996, when it sent a team of around three dozen athletes to take part in Atlanta.
The rise to power of the harsh Taliban regime later that year heralded the beginning of a dark age for Afghanistan sport, which was frowned upon as a pastime for men, and banned completely amongst women. It was the hardline Islamic rulers' ban on female participation in sport that led to Afghanistan being kicked out of the Olympic movement in 1999.
But with the Taliban ousted from power, Afghanistan is back -- and women's 100m entrant Robina Muqimyar is likely to be carrying the country's flag at the Aug. 13 opening ceremony.
Afghanistan's flag will flutter proudly alongside the colors of East Timor during the Olympics.
East Timor only gained independence two years ago since splitting from Indonesia in 1999. The political upheaval saw Timorese sports facilities reduced to rubble as bloodthirsty Indonesia-backed militia went on the rampage.
At the other end of Asia's Olympic spectrum, China will once again be the continent's standard-bearer after announcing its emergence in Sydney when it finished third with 28 golds.
Though China's athletes will not be major players in the blue riband Olympic events -- athletics and swimming -- the world's most populous nation will dominate in other arenas, such as diving, badminton and table tennis.
Chinese officials have played down the team's chances of emulating the medal haul of Sydney in 2000, stressing that experience for the 2008 Games in Beijing remains a priority.
While China are contemplating another successful Olympics, the same cannot be said for India. Despite being the only other country in the world with a population of more than one billion, India will be grateful for just one gold.
The world's gaze will be fixed on Athens, but India's eyes will be on the high-profile cricket series against arch-rivals Pakistan and world champions Australia to be played in the Netherlands at the same time.
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