Led by strength in the Shot Put, Pole Vault and hurdles and boasting four past World Indoor individual champions, the USA will send a strong team of 51 athletes for the 2008 IAAF World Indoor championships.

Defending World Indoor gold medalists Reese Hoffa and Brad Walker are joined by three-time World champion Allen Johnson and 2004 World champ Christian Cantwell, as well as 2005 World Outdoor champion Bryan Clay on a roster that mixes experience and youth. Cantwell and Hoffa will look for a sweep in the shot, which they accomplished in 2004 when they went 1-2, respectively. Entering Valencia, only Adam Nelson has thrown father than either man, and both have thrown roughly a half-meter farther than their nearest international competitor this year.

Other top contenders include surprising sprinter Michael Rodgers, the USA Indoor champion who owns the third fastest time in the world this year (6.54), and 2007 World Outdoor 4x100m gold medallist Leroy Dixon in the men’s 60m. Two-time World Indoor silver medallist Angela Williams headlines the women’s sprint.