How he made it
Raju Rai is one of many who were able to take advantage of the Olympics' new qualifying policy. Ranked 68th in the world on May 1, 2008, Rai may have not been given the chance to participate in the Olympics during other years. But this year's qualification limited the number of representatives per National Olympic Committee when outside of the top-16. So, the draw of 48 names extended all the way to No. 86 Nabil Lasmari of Algeria. Rai was the fifth from last qualifier for the Games and will be the only American in the men's singles draw.

A vision of the future
Rai, currently studying biology at Santiago Canyon College, told The Orange County Register back in 2005 that if he were to make the Olympic Games -- which he has -- then, "I'll be satisfied with my career. Once you're there, anything can happen." Following the Games, Rai plans to turn to studying to become an optometrist.

Still a team
For the longest time, Rai and Bob Malaythong were doubles partners. Since they were 10 years old, in fact, they have looked to one another for guidance. While they won't be on the same court in Beijing, they will still be teammates, as Malaythong has qualified in doubles with Howard Bach. Malaythong certainly will be honored to have Bach, a former world champion, as a partner, but seeing Rai there for support may be the best thing for Malaythong and the U.S. squad. "(Rai) is everybody's best friend," Malaythong told The Orange County Register. "He's someone you can go to. You can talk to him about anything."

IS HE ORIGINALLY FROM NEPAL?????