Track and field: looking forward to rebirth

● Men's 110-meter hurdles

Competition time: Aug 7 to Aug 8

Contestant: Liu Xiang

Gold prospect: Liu has recovered from a series of serious injuries and appears to be almost back to his very best just in time for London. Cuba's defending Olympic champion Dayron Robles has suffered a few injury setbacks this year and his form is questionable. Liu also has another formidable challenger in the shape of American Aries Merritt, 26, who set a blistering personal best of 12.93 seconds at Crystal Palace, London earlier this month.

Weightlifting: unshakable superiority

● Men's 56kg class

Competition time: July 29

Contestant: Wu Jingbiao

Gold prospect: Wu took gold in the snatch and clean and jerk at the 2011 Weightlifting World Championships in Paris, which also meant that he won with his overall points total. Wu's reputation and ability make him a definite gold medal prospect for London.

● Men's 77 kg class

Competition time: Aug 1

Contestants: Lv Xiaojun & Lu Haojie

Gold prospect: Lv Xiaojun and the new national champion Lu Haojie will form a potent duo which could well trouble the world's best.

● Women's 48kg class

Competition time: July 28

Contestant: Wang Mingjuan

Gold prospect: In the Olympic trials, Wang finished second behind Tian Yuan. She is, however, still the world number one. But will also face stiff competition from the Turkish and Thai lifters.