LeBron James (basketball): The King, as he is nicknamed, decided to take some time away from the game after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA championship in June. He's already won two Olympic gold medals at the last two games, therefore deciding to spend his summer at home. His son won his own basketball championship in the junior ranks, while James also posted a video playing softball with friends at the 'King James Softball Classic'. A well earned break. Austrlaian gold medalist Sally Pearson at the London Games in 2012. Credit:Getty Images Sally Pearson (athletics): She was Australia's great hope for a gold at the athletics track, however injury shattered her Olympic dreams. The hurdler didn't travel with the team to Rio but has been a regular member of Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports program. She's also been mixing with Olympic royalty, meeting Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser. She posted a photo with Fraser with the caption: "Met this amazing person Dawn Fraser. I think I've met my new idol!! Thanks for the chat Dawny!! #idol #swimmer #champion #athlete". Jason Day reacts to missing a putt on the 18th at the PGA Championship last month. Credit:AP Jason Day (golf): The threat of the Zika virus forced Australia's leading golfer to withdraw from the Rio games. "The reason for my decision is my concerns about the possible transmission of the Zika virus and the potential risks that it might present to my wife's future pregnancies and to future members of our family," Day said in a statement. He finished second in the PGA championship in New Jersey two weeks ago, falling a shot behind American Jimmy Walker.

Bernard Tomic scores against Croatia's Ivo Karlovic in July. Credit:Getty Images Bernard Tomic (tennis): Unlike Nick Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic didn't really give the Olympics a second thought. He committed to playing in Los Cabos in Mexico during the Olympics, but that didn't work out quite well for the world No.21. Tomic was bundled out of the second round in Mexico by little-known Serbian Dusan Lajovic in three sets. While he managed to get through to the second round, it was only because he had a bye in the first round. Jarryd Hayne of the Titans Credit:Getty Images Jarryd Hayne (rugby): He was hoping to be on a sandy beach in August, and he got his wish. Unfortunately he has had to trade Copacabana for Surfers Paradise after missing the Fijian rugby sevens team. Hayne gave up on his NFL dream to pursue an Olympic medal. And while his "Fijian brothers" won gold, he's now settled into life on the Gold Coast after signing with the Titans over his beloved Eels. Adam Scott lines up a putt on the 18th green at the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon, Scotland. Credit:Getty Images

Adam Scott (golf): The Australian wasn't overly impressed with the format of the Olympic golf tournament. Scott said it needed a point of difference from the regular 72-hole competition, admitting he had little interest in the event in its current format. "I think they should change the format, for sure," Scott said. Just having another 72-hole golf tournament with a weaker-than-most field doesn't really pique my interest." Scott was tied for 18th in the recent PGA Championship in New Jersey. On the bounce: Steph Curry. Credit:Getty Images Steph Curry (basketball): The two-time NBA MVP would have been the first - maybe second - player picked by team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski. However the Golden State Warriors superstar has decided against playing in the Olympics, recently posting a photo with his wife Ayesha Curry celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary on holiday. Curry has long been the superstar in the Warriors lineup, but he'll be joined by Kevin Durant when they return to preseason. Tejay van Garderen of the US leaves the team bus to go for a training ride on the second rest day of the Tour de France in July. Credit:AP Tejay van Garderen (cycling): The American cyclist, a former teammate of Cadel Evans, cited concerns over the Zika virus for his reason to pull out of the games. "Although the risks associated with the Zika virus can be minimal and precautions can be taken, my wife Jessica is pregnant, and I don't want to risk bringing anything back that could potentially have an effect," he said before the games. Van Garderen was last seen in Aspen, Colorado, enjoying some sushi for dinner.

Michael Diamond in action. Credit:Pat Scala Michael Diamond (shooting): Australia's greatest trap shooter would have been here, having provisionally been selected by Shooting Australia. His bid for another Olympic gold following his triumphs in Atlanta and Sydney came unstuck, however, after being charged with drink-driving and firearms offences, for which he was ruled ineligible for the team. He's been forced to watch these games from home.