The Olympic Games do not come around every year and it is every athlete's dream to win a medal on the world's biggest sporting stage. It is therefore no surprise that in Africa, the heat over selection to the Olympics always hits fever pitch when the continent's top athletes prepare to compete against the world's best. This year is no exception: Between July 27 and August 12, sports will dominate headlines and lift the spirit of the continent.

Long distance dominance

Ever since the 1950s, African countries have competed in almost all Olympic Games except in 1976 and 1980, when several countries boycotted for various reasons. But for African athletes, it has been a long-winding journey filled with many highs and lows.

Along the way, egos are bruised, careers are shattered, but several prodigies emerge and shoot to stardom.

Realistically, Ethiopia and Kenya have the best chances of winning the most medals thanks to their athletes' dominance in long and middle distance events.

Kenya's entire medal collection (14 - six gold, four silver and four bronze) from the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and seven (four gold, one silver and two bronze) of Ethiopia's medals were all from track events.

People could see a replay of the 2008 races in London as both countries return with almost all of the same athletes. Throw in Eritrea, Morocco and South Africa and the continent is likely to dominate events ranging from the 800m to the marathon in races for both men and women.

Ever since 1968, Kenya has won every gold medal in the 3,000m steeplechase race for men. Brimin Kipruto, the defending champion, is in line to repeat that victory. Of course, he has to compete against fellow Kenyan and world champion Ezekiel Kemboi.

In fact, the continent may sweep the podium with its all-star cast: Other top runners include Olympic 800m champion Pamela Jelimo, the sensational two-lap runner, Olympic silver medalist Janeth Jepkosgei, Ethiopian teenager 19-year-old Fantu Magiso Manedo and South African sensation and 2009 World champion Caster Semenya.

Kenyan Asbel Kiprop, previous winner in the 1,500m, has vowed to rule the race in London, though he has to beat Silas Kiplagat, the world silver medalist. Both broke a world record when they had times of under 3:30 in Doha in May 2012. Another athlete to watch is Ethiopia's Gebremedhin Mekonnen, the world indoor bronze medalist.

Ethiopia will proudly show off Tirunesh Dibaba, double champion of 5,000m and 10,000m, king of long distance Kenenisa Bekele, who is back from injury, Meseret Defer and Genzebe Dibaba, the world indoor 1,500m champions and a squad of other budding athletes keen to step out of the veterans' shadows.

Competition is so stiff that Kenya and Ethiopia could not make room for marathon world record holders Haile Gebreselassie and Patrick Makau. But at the same time, there are newcomers on the fringes, like double world 5,000m and 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot, who is also a winner of last year's the 2011 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award.

Olympic fans will also be eagerly waiting to see Kenya's David Rudisha, the 800m world record holder. He will debut in London after a tendon injury ruled him out in Beijing.

Rudisha has since turned on the heat by asking for a relay duel with Usain Bolt. The two speedsters could go head to head in the 4x400m relay final - Rudisha for the Kenya team and Bolt, who is considering running in the event, for Jamaica.

"It will be our middle point - I will have to come down to 400m, and he will come up to 400m. We will meet in the middle and it will be fun; we will enjoy it," Rudisha said in Qatar prior to the Doha Diamond League race on May 11.

Rudisha said that while Bolt had the speed, he had the mileage, and promised if the clash did happen it would be a major spectacle for sports enthusiasts all over the world.

African women will also be pushing for victory. The continent's champion Amantle Montsho dreams of winning Botswana's first Olympic medal. She is the reigning world champion in the 400m and Novlene Williams-Mills (Jamaica), Sanya Richards-Ross (the United States) and Britain's Christine Ohuruogu must be ready to run in her shadow.

London marathon champions, Kenyans Mary Keitany and Wilson Kipsang, world indoor 1,500m champion Helen Obiri, and Olympic defending 1,500m Olympic champion Nancy Jebet Langat may also come home from London with medals.

AFRICAN DOMINANCE: African runners will take over the track this year