25 stars and hopefuls to watch at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo

Though USA Gymnastics still is trying to pick up the pieces from the Larry Nassar scandal, Biles remains the shining light of the sport in America. She said earlier this year that 2020 will be her last Olympics. The wear and tear on the body is building, but the four-time gold medalist in Rio and five-time all-around world champion should still have enough success left in the tank for one more go-around.

Arguably the greatest U.S. diver since Greg Louganis, Boudia won four medals at the last two Summer Games (including gold in 2012) on the platform. However, his road to Tokyo will be on the springboard after suffering a concussion on the platform in 2018. While he might not end up being a medal favorite in that event in 2020, Boudia can't be written off, considering his Olympic success in the past.

Should she qualify for Tokyo as part of Britain's skateboarding team, Brown, who will be 12 years old by the time Games begin, has the charisma and charm to be one of the most talked about athletes competing. Brown, who was born in Japan to a British father and Japanese mother, earned bronze at the recent skateboarding world championships and hopes to achieve even greater heights at Olympics if given the chance.

There might not be an athlete, from any country, who has more to prove in 2020 than Burroughs. The poster boy for USA Wrestling shockingly left Rio without a medal and later toyed with giving up the sport altogether. Thankfully, he's still on the mat and appears poised to regain the glory achieved from winning gold during the 2012 Summer Games in London.

We're on the lookout for the next Usain Bolt — the new world's fastest man. The U.S. has its share of contenders, but De Grasse must be in that conversation. The Canadian finished second to Bolt in the 200 meters, was third in the 100 in Rio and finished the same way at the 2019 world championships. He also won bronze in the 4x100 relay in 2016 and is ready to be even better in Tokyo.

Olympic swim fans will be looking for the next Michael Phelps. Could fellow American Dressel be the one? He'll be just shy of his 24th birthday when the Tokyo Games are completed, but he certainly has talent above his years. Dressel won relay gold twice in 2016 and is the current world star in the sprint events. Throw in that sleeve of ink on his left arm, and Dressel certainly seems ready for his close-up.

The Swiss great said earlier in 2019 that he will play in Tokyo - if he stays healthy. That's always a concern with someone who will turn 39 during the games. Federer has won just about everything a tennis star can, except for Olympic gold in singles (he owns a gold for doubles) after losing in the final to Andy Murray in 2012. Federer missed the 2016 Games due to injury and would be must-see TV should he be in Tokyo.

Felix became a mother in 2018 but has her sights set on a fifth Olympic appearance in 2020. For those keeping score at home, Felix has won nine Olympic medals, including six of the gold variety. Her workload has decreased since giving birth, but the desire remains for a shot at one more moment of Olympic glory on the track. That's all we'd like to see.

Hagino did not swim at the 2019 world championships, but the bigger concern for Japanese swim fans is the state of mind of the four-time Olympic medalist. Some poor performances have shaken Hagino's confidence and challenged his motivation. However, we know that the 2016 winner of the 400 medley will be ready to go in his home nation.

The Tokyo Games might not be the last of the Olympic variety for the Hungarian swimming legend, who is already thinking about Paris in 2024. First things first. Hosszú will look to add to her Olympic success that featured three golds (100 meter backstroke, 200 medley, 400 medley) and a silver (200 backstroke) at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio. 

One of the more intriguing athletes to watch, Hubbard has a chance to be the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics. The 42-year-old, known prior as Gavin Hubbard, started the transition process during his mid-30s. Hubbard's road to Tokyo won't be easy, but there is the very real chance that she will make history at these Olympics  

A gold medal in Tokyo is all that stands in the way of Kenny becoming the most successful cyclist in Great Britain Olympic history. He and fellow Great Britain standout Chris Hoy each has won six golds on the Summer Games front — half of which came in 2016 (sprint, keirin and team sprint). Now a father, Kenny's priorities have changed, but a berth in the 2020 games and a chance at more history are still in the plan.

With four gold medals and a silver, Ledecky was one of the superstars of the 2016 Games in Rio. There's no reason to believe her dominance won't continue in Tokyo. Add the 1,500 meters into the women's mix in 2020, and Ledecky seems poised for another big haul and reportedly for a sweep of her four events (200, 400 and 800 too). Did we mention she'll be only 23 next summer.

In October Lyles proclaimed that he will win three gold medals at these 2020 Olympics. His best event is obviously the 200 meters, but he's working to catch and surpass U.S. teammate Christian Coleman in the 100. There's also the 4x100 relay. The Olympics is filled with characters and personalities, and Lyles is certainly one to watch on and off the track.

It might be too much to ask Manuel to top her stellar performance in Rio (two gold medals and two silver). Then again with the talent she has, she's capable of doing anything. By tying for first in the 100 meters in 2016, Manuel became the first African-American woman to win Olympic gold in swimming. For Manuel, the sky is most definitely the limit.

In Rio, Miller-Uibo won gold in the 400 meters. In 2019, she set a world record in in the 300. Barring injury or any other setback, the Bahamian seems on path for more Olympic success in Tokyo. She also could be a factor in the 200 come next summer, so Miller-Uibo is definitely a name to remember. 

Like Simone Manuel, Oleksiak was one of the biggest surprises of the 2016 Summer Games. Her tie for gold with Manuel in the 100 meters might go down as the greatest race in women's Olympic sprint history. The Canadian won four medals in Rio, but getting back to that kind of form has been a challenge for Oleksiak, who will be 20 for next year's Games. However, she seems ready for success in Tokyo. 

One of the most popular Japanese-born athletes at the moment, Osaka won the 2018 U.S. Open and the 2019 Australian Open. She should be one of the main faces for the host country at the Games, especially since she opted to compete for her home nation and instead of the U.S., where she was raised. That makes sense.

With softball back at the Summer Games for the first time since 2008, that means Osterman will be on the mound. Osterman, who will turn 36 before the games, is the oldest player on the U.S. team and one of the most successful pitchers in the history of Olympic softball. She helped the Americans win Olympic gold in 2004 and silver in 2008.

Peaty enjoyed his coming-out party at the 2016 Games, when he won gold in the 100 breaststroke and silver in the 4x100 medley. Word is that Peaty might be even better by the time he hits the pool in Tokyo 2020. The idea of Peaty winning multiple golds next summer is a real possibility — almost to the point that it would be a shock if he did not.

Rapinoe was the star of 2019 Women's World Cup on — and off — the pitch. She might not have been 100 percent when the U.S. was upset by Sweden in the quarterfinals in Rio, but one would think she'll be there to lead the USWNT on its Olympic redemption tour of 2020. Rapinoe is arguably the face of U.S. women's soccer.

Judo is not exactly a prime-time sport at the Olympics, but any fan of the Summer Games should seek out the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Riner. He won gold in the +100kg event at each of the last two Summer Games after taking home bronze in 2008. A gold in Tokyo would leave "Big Ted" level with Japan star Tadahiro Nomura with three Olympic judo triumphs.

Rhode was a teenager when she competed at her first Olympics in 1996 in Atlanta. She's competed in six total, and according to Rhode, she wants to appear in "eight or nine" more. Now 40, Rhode has won three gold medals (two in double trap, one in skeet), a silver and two bronze while establishing herself as the only woman to earn some neckwear at six straight Olympic Games.

A seven-time Olympic medalist, Uchimura has still not qualified for the 2020 Olympics in his home country. Now 30, Uchimura has won all-around gold at each of the last two Olympic Games, but he's also battled injuries and age might be starting to catch up to one of the world's greatest male gymnasts of all time.

The four-time Olympic medalist (three gold) is not done yet. Walsh Jennings, whose run of three straight gold medals ended with a bronze in Rio, is eyeing a sixth Olympic appearance in Tokyo. The road won't be easy for Walsh Jennings, who will be pushing 42 years old at the Games' conclusion, and partner Brooke Sweat to qualify for the 2020 event, but we would not bet against it. And we should expect a medal when they get there.