However, this time sports fans are calling for more and expectations have become higher, but I believe that this could put needless pressure on the athletes taking part in Beijing 2008.

Karam Gaber's splendid victory in the Greco-Roman finals four years ago was an astounding feat, but this time huge pressure is upon the shoulders of the champ.

This pressure, mainly through the media, could act as a major hurdle against Egyptian athletes' objective of repeating the rare results of 2004.

For example, forgotten weightlifter Nahla Ramadan used to be Egypt's main hope for gold in Athens, but the outcome was a total failure for the former champion.

Ramadan's failure in Athens was justified for being under too much pressure, in addition to lacking adequate resources of preparing fore the big event.

Egyptian athletes, with the exception of footballers, have usually bemoaned lack of funds and resources prior to top competitions, a problem which forced Athens hero Gaber to contemplate the idea of representing USA rather than Egypt.

It is unfair for our athletes to spend four years in the dark and then all of a sudden find themselves with the burden of bringing glory to the nation.

The likes of Gaber, Mohamed Ali, Ahmed Ismail, Mohamed Al-Sayed and Tamer Salah made it to the podium, thanks to completely individual efforts in association with their respective coaches.

That's why we should be realistic, keep it simple and hope for some Egyptian heroics this summer.