Meet Seven of America’s Olympians

In one day the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics will be held in London as the world gets ready to cheer on over 10,000 athletes from over 200 countries. Despite the fact that some of the greatest athletes on the planet will be competing to bring home gold for the U.S., most Americans would be hard-pressed to identify more than two American Olympians in a lineup. To remedy this situation, today’s post will serve as a diversion from American-made fashion to focus on some of America’s greatest competitors. The following seven athletes are slated to be among the U.S.’ biggest stars on the world’s largest playing field in the coming weeks.

{photo courtesy of The Telegraph}

1. Michael Phelps: Let’s begin with a familiar face. In 2008 Phelps won an astonishing eight gold medals, setting the record for most gold medals won for an individual event. This year he faces stiff competition from friend and fellow Olympian Ryan Lochte, who aims to dethrone Phelps as swimming’s reigning champ.

{photo courtesy of Florida Magazine}

2. Ryan Lochte: A year older than Phelps, Lochte took home four medals in 2008 and recently beat Phelps in the 200-meter finals at the World Championships, leaving some to speculate that Lochte could be the one thing standing between Phelps and Olympic gold this summer.

{photo courtesy of White Zine}

3. Allyson Felix: Having competed in both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics with silver medal victories, Felix will be returning to the 2012 games in her final attempt to take home the gold. The track and field star will run the 100 and 200 meter fields this August, and is considered America’s best chance for winning gold in both events.

{photo courtesy of ESPN}

4. Missy Franklin: At 16 years old, this Colorado resident currently holds the American record in the 200-meter backstroke. Experts believe Missy will serve as this year’s breakout star in London, having already made history by becoming the first American woman to qualify for seven events at the Olympics.

{photo courtesy of Glamour.}

5. Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor: Since joining forces in 2004, May-Treanor and Walsh have been dubbed “the greatest beach volleyball team of all time.” The ladies took home gold in both Athens and Beijing and are the only beach volleyball team to win gold in two consecutive Olympic Games.

{photo courtesy of ESPN}

6. Jordyn Wieber: 17 year old Wieber is the reigning world champion, and is considered the best female gymnast in the world. Her greatest strength is the vault, in which she placed first at the World Championships.