Dain Blanton is trying to win his second gold medal on the beach.

Since winning the Olympic beach volleyball medal at the 2000 Sydney Games, American Dain Blanton indulged in sports cars and bachelorhood.

Nominated to be 'The Bachelor' in the show's third season, the 2000
gold medalist was the runner-up to Andrew Firestone of the tire family.

"It was a fun process and before I knew it they told me it was down to
me and Andrew Firestone," Blanton said. "I got a little nervous being so close but, you know, I think I would have given it a shot if they picked me. What a fun experience that would be. The instant celebrity would have been a little strange for me, though."

Blanton already has the celebrity wheels. Making good on a childhood
promise to himself, the Laguna Beach, Calif., native bought a Porsche 911 Carrera after winning gold in Sydney.

Heading into the 2000 Games, Blanton hardly expected to buy himself post-gold presents. He wasn't even expected to qualify for the Olympic tournament. As the No. 9 seed, Blanton and then-partner Eric Fonoimoana earned their trip to Sydney at the last qualifying tournament.

But once they arrived at the Olympics, the Americans proved they deserved to be there.

The U.S. underdogs pulled out five victories, the last a 12-11, 12-9 decision over Brazil's Ze Marco Melo and Ricardo Santos for the gold medal.

Entering the 2004 Games, Blanton is trying to become the first beach volleyball player to repeat as the gold medalist.

"That would be awesome and is something that I am shooting for," the 32-year- old Blanton says. "It has never been done on the beach so it is always great to try to go out and do something that has never been achieved."

Blanton is making a run for his second title with a new partner. After reaching the top of their game, Blanton and Fonoimoana split after the 2001 season.

"We played for five years together with one goal in mind, and that was to reach the pinnacle of our sport, which we achieved in Sydney in 2000," Blanton says. "After that we were both looking for something fresh and we have both had success with new partners."

Now the 6-foot-3 American is grooming his new teammate, Jeff Nygaard, for Athens. A member of the U.S. national indoor volleyball team at the 1996 and 2000 Games, Nygaard will make his Olympics beach debut.

The duo earned 10 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) finishes iin 2003, including a victory at the Hellas Open in Rhodes, Greece.

While Rhodes was Blanton's first international tournament victory since Sydney, he knows he will be a target in Athens.

"Going into the Games as a defending champion is much different than the first time," Blanton says. "My competitors will be looking to knock me out early."

He knows the competition will be fierce, but he is not afraid.

"I fear no team," Blanton says. "There are many great teams out there that we will have to take care of if we are going to bring home some jewelry."

If he does win his second gold medal, Blanton hasn't yet decided what new purchase will replace the Porsche.

What about another brush with reality TV?

"Stranger things have happened," Blanton says.