ATHENS -- The Russians had better watch out. For the first time in Olympic history, the traditional powerhouse of gymnastics arrive at the Games as the rank outsiders.

Four years after their remarkable haul of 15 medals -- including five golds -- in Sydney, the team is in disarray.

Despite having three Olympic champions -- Alexei Nemov, Svetlana Khorkina and Yelena Zamolodchikova -- in their midst, the Russians are not among the top three favorites in both the men's and women's team events.

When competitors spring into action in the Olympic Indoor Hall on Saturday, the battle for the top honors is expected to be between the United States, the Chinese and the Romanians.

The Americans have recovered from their dismal outing in Sydney, where they failed to win a gymnastics medal for the first time since the 1972 Munich Games.

The likes of Courtney Kupets -- the 2002 world asymmetric bars champion -- and Carly Patterson have been honing their routines at the monthly camps conducted by Bela Karolyi and his wife Marta, the U.S. women's national team co-ordinator.

The women captured the team gold at the world championships in Anaheim last August and Karolyi, who has guided Nadia Comaneci and Mary Lou Retton to the top of the Olympic podium, believes they will be able to repeat the feat in Greece.

For once, however, the best U.S. gymnast happens to be a man. Paul Hamm made history in Anaheim when he became the first American man to claim the world all-round title.

He will again be the guiding force for the men's team when they attempt to win the title for the first time since 1984.

China will more than likely have to depend on their men for gold medal success. Li Xiaopeng has been untouchable in the parallel bars and vault over the past two years at all major competitions.

Romania's campaign will be spearheaded by Marian Dragulescu, who wants to prove that his four titles at the European championships earlier this year were not a fluke.

Svetlana Khorkina could restore bruised Russian egos in the individual events. Returning for her third and final dose of Olympic glory, the blonde pin-up will be determined to make a dazzling exit from the sport.