Latin American and Caribbean countries are hoping the London Olympics, which officially kicked off Friday, offer them a chance for more medals than the 2008 Beijing edition.

The countries which are certain to better their Olympic previous performances are Brazil, Cuba, Argentina, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Panama, which together brought home 11 gold medals from Beijing, Xinhua reports.

Tiny Jamaica brought home six gold medals four years ago while Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Costa Rica and Venezuela left China without a top podium finish.

Central American nations, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, will be looking to garner their first-ever Olympic medal, though observers feel their chances are slim.

Traditionally an Olympic over-achiever, given its tiny size and economy, Cuba is sending just over 100 athletes to better its lacklustre Beijing performance, which resulted in just two gold medals, 11 silver and 11 bronze medals.

Cuba’s best medal prospects are Dayron Robles, in the 110m hurdles, Yarelis Barrios in discus throw, and Yargeris Savigne (triathlon), as well as boxers Lazaro Alvarez and Julio Cesar La Cruz, and wrestlers Pablo Shory and Mijain Lopez.

Brazil is betting on swimmer Cesar Cielo to bring back a medal, along with seven boxers, among them Everton Lopes and Yamaguchi Florentino, pole vaulter Fabiana Murer and its beach volleyball teams.

Argentina is pinning its hopes on its men’s basketball and women’s hockey, as well as tennis stars Juan del Potro, David Nalbandian, Gisela Dulko and Paola Suarez, and its rowing and sailing squads.

Mexico has high hopes from taekwondo specialists Maria del Rosario Espinoza and Jannet Alegria; divers Paola Espinosa and Laura Sanchez, Yahel Castillo and Julian Sanchez; archers Rene Serrano and Alejandra Valencia; and gymnast Daniel Corral.

Jamaican track and field superstar Usain Bolt is being watched closely both at home and around the world. Accompanying him are fellow runners Yohan Blake, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Melanie Marchaer, in both individual trials and relays.

Traditionally strong in cycling, Colombia’s delegation features Mariana Pajon. Other Colombian athletes with a medal chance are triple jumper Catherine Ibarguen and the judo squad.

Chilean gymnast Tomas Gonzalez will compete for a medal, though analysts believe Chile’s medal chances are better with Barbara Riveros in triathalon, Denise Van Laamoen in archery, and swimmer Kristel Kobrich.

The Dominican Republic has its eys on taekwondo expert Gabriel Mercedes and sprinter Lugelin Santos.

Panama’s delegation features track and field star Irving Saladino, while Granada’s is 400m runner Kirany James.

Peru, which has not won a gold since 1948, when Edwin Vasquez won the 50m freestyle pistol shooting at the Games also held in London, is now betting on runner Gladys Tejeda and marathon runner Ines Melchor and Wilma Arizapana.

Source: NY Daily News