This is a joint production brought to you by Daniel Maile & Cody Hensarling (http://codyhensarling.blogspot.com/). We actually researched this piece for a couple of hours and pared down a larger list of Women to Watch to get the 8 most deserving. Enjoy...


1. Nicole Reinhardt (GER)- Canoe/Kayak

Cody: Reinhardt is a tenacious German kayaker who is known for her versatility. Strong in the K-1, K-2, and K-4 disciplines at a variety of lengths, Reinhardt has tasted victory at the '08 World Cup, the '08 European Championships, and the '07 World Championships. Serving the German community as a public servant, Reinhardt is also one of the more well-liked athletes representing them at the Beijing Games.
Daniel: Well, in my estimation, she has the cuteness and the hotness needed to make this list. She looks like the kind of girl you could take to a party, have fun, but could probably have just as much fun relaxing.
Cody: I can think of 2 good reasons to watch her... Plus, she's cute.
Daniel: I'm thinking camping trips... and she's from the mother land, Deutschland uber alles.


2. Guo Jingjing (CHN)- Diving (3m Springboard Synchronized, and 3m Springboard Solo)

Cody: Guo is one of China's true athletic celebrities. She was estimated to have earned $2 million in endorsements in the year 2007 alone, unheard of for a diver. She was so successful as a public figure that the Chinese team threatened to kick her off the Beijing Olympic Team if she didn't retreat from public life and its "excessive commercialism". Oh, and by the way, she has 2 golds and 2 silvers coming into the games and just won the synchro.
Daniel: Ah, Guo...
Cody: There's something strangely seductive in her eyes
Daniel: She reminds me a little of Zhang Ziyi, mixed in with a little Michelle Yeoh.
Cody: I think it's the eyebrows, they aren't what you'd expect from a Chinese woman.
Daniel: She makes me think, wow, she's extremely pretty, but in a seductive, naively come-hither way.
Cody: Yeah, you get the impression that she doesn't fully understand her allure,
Daniel: or that she's unaware of it.
Cody: It's refreshing,
Daniel: which makes it even MORE alluring!

3. Christina Vukicevic (NOR)- Track & Field (100m Hurdles)

Cody: Just 20 years old, Vukicevic is one of the up and coming hopes for the Norwegian track team. Her best international performance to date is a 2nd place finish at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Beijing. Norway is not known as a summer sports power, but has in recent years gained a little more international credibility.
Daniel: Determined, cute, and unafraid to run the extra lap. You have to love that kind of indomitable spirit... along with those abs.
Cody: Ah, yes, it is quite amazing to see someone who specializes in overcoming hurdles. And has abs of steel.
Daniel: I bet she has a side job as being one of the valkyries that come down from Valhalla to sweep the battlefields of dead heroes, whisking them away to an eternity of awesomeness... and abs.



4. Alyona Bondarenko (UKR)- Tennis (Women's Singles & Doubles)

Cody: Bondarenko has been ranked as high as #19 in the world, and is one of the top singles players at the Olympics. In truth, she is much more well known for her doubles prowess with her sister Kateryna. Together, they won the 2008 Australian Open. She has 6 singles titles to go with 11 doubles crowns.
Daniel: Alyona Bondarenko. Just look at her name. In it, you see "abandon," as in, "abandon all hope, ye who look upon this beauty." I'm somehow imagining what would happen if Sharapova and Kournikova came together and had a baby...kova.
Cody: She wants me to be pure... This is just not fair! Why are women always so cruel?
Daniel: Pure like fallen snow. Pure like silk on soft skin. Pure like creamy, melting white chocolate spread over decadent fudge cake with sprinkles and- Oh, Lord. I think I just had an aneurysm... of love.
Cody: Is that what that's called these days?
Daniel: I don't know. All I know is that I need to plan a trip to the Ukraine.


5. Kerri Walsh (USA)- Beach Volleyball

Cody: 99 Career International titles. World Champion and defending Olympic Gold Medalist. Won 75 of 76 matches since 2006. Is there anything else that needs to be said? Walsh and Misty May-Treanor are the greatest pairing in Beach Volleyball history. At a towering 6'2", Walsh is by far the most dominant presence at the net in the tournament. If she doesn't win Gold, it will redefine the term 'upset'.
Daniel: Kerri Walsh has that old "Je ne sais quoi" about her. Maybe it's the great competitive spirit. Maybe it's the way she dominates the sand. Maybe it's the whole always-wearing-the-bikini-thing.
Cody: Kerri makes me want to learn how to come from behind as well as she does.
Daniel: I can't help but wonder why she's not playing for a Greek team, considering she's the perfect Amazonian, make-your-heartbeat-skip-and-slam-the-ace type of Olympian athlete.
Cody: Amazonian is right, Kerri is just impressive; period.
Daniel: She makes me want to climb something.

6. Marinella Falca (ITA)- Rhythmic Gymnastics

Cody: An integral member of the dangerous Italian Rhythmic Gymnastics team, Falca already has a silver medal, earned at the Athens games in the Group Competition. Falca specializes in the Hoop and Clubs and is known for her pixie-like facial expressions.
Daniel: Marinella is just too darn cute. She has the look of the girl next door, but I bet that Italian blood makes her more than capable of bringing the heat when it comes down to it. Plus, her warm-ups are probably considered a national treasure.
Cody: She plays with balls for medals and they call it art. How exactly does one go about getting one of those judging gigs?
Daniel: You pray to the Almighty Father and ask him to give you a little bit of heaven before you die. That's how.
Cody: I've have a craving for Italian. And maybe some pasta, too...
Daniel: I'll have a heaping helping of Marinella with a side of drop-dead-sweetness. Oh, she comes with it? Molto bene.


7. Charlotte Craig (USA)- Taekwondo

Cody: Charlotte "Charley" Craig has been the best American in her weightclass since age 14. Standing at just 5'5'', Craig is one of the favorites in the flyweight division. Already impressive in her own right, after training with the "first family of Taekwondo", the Lopez family, Craig is a complete fighter.
Daniel: I don't care how tall she is, that girl can throw me clear across a room. That's hot.
Cody: I swear there's a movie to be made here. She's blonde, from California, and schools Japanese at their national pastime? C'mon... Any girl that can look hot in the clown gear that they make the taekwondo fighters wear is a 10 in my book.
Daniel: She's got style. She's got flair. She's got looks that kill and a kick that will RUIN YOU. What more could you ask for in a girl her age? I mean, she's not even in her twenties yet!


8. Ophelie-Cyrielle Etienne (FRA)- Swimming

Cody: I'm not even going to try. I don't even know what event(s) she's entered in. She's cute. She's French. She's listed on nbcolympics.com. What more do you want?
Daniel: I want her to hand-feed me chocolate-dipped French strawberries. That's what.