2012 London Olympics Profile: Venus Williams

In preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, we're profiling 20 of the top medal contenders.

Part-time fashion designer Venus Williams is most devoted to one colorful collection—that of her Olympic pins.

Venus has maintained her extensive pin collection since her debut at the 2000 Sydney Summer Games and counts it among her most valued mementos—along, of course, with her three Olympic gold medals she cites among her most treasured trophies.

This month, the only three-time tennis gold medallist in U.S. Olympic history will become the first American tennis player to compete in four Olympic Games when she returns to the familiar lawns of the All England Club. The five-time Wimbledon champion is excited by her latest Olympic appearance, as she and sister Serena, who have posted a 10-0 Olympic doubles record together, will try to capture their third doubles gold after winning the Sydney and Beijing Olympics.

"[The Olympics is] just the ultimate level in sports," said Venus, who swept singles and doubles gold medals in Sydney 12 years ago. "It's about participating. It's about having that experience. It's about having the honor to be good enough to be there."

Previous Olympic Singles Results

Sydney, 2000: Won gold-medal match against Elena Dementieva
Athens, 2004: Lost in third round to Mary Pierce
Beijing, 2008: Lost in quarterfinals to Li Na

Previous Olympic Doubles Results

Sydney, 2000: Won gold-medal match with Serena Williams against Kristie Boogert and Miriam Oremans
Athens, 2004: Lost in first round with Chandra Rubin to Ting Li and Tiantian Sun
Beijing, 2008: Won gold-medal match with Serena Williams against Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual

More Olympic Profiles:

—Agnieszka Radwanska
—Ana Ivanovic
—Andy Murray
—Andy Roddick
—Angelique Kerber
—Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
—John Isner
—Juan Martin del Potro
—Kei Nishikori
—Kim Clijsters
—Li Na
—Maria Sharapova
—Milos Raonic
—Novak Djokovic
—Petra Kvitova
—Roger Federer
—Serena Williams
—Tomas Berdych
—Venus Williams
—Victoria Azarenka