We love a good underdog story, but there’s something simply
amazing about watching a veteran athlete go out there and grab gold, whether it’s
for the first time or for the fifth. Check out the athletes we can’t wait to
watch this summer. You’ll see names ya know…and some ya won’t. Study up and get
ready to tune in.
Venus and Serena
Williams have been big names on the U.S. women’s tennis scene for the last
decade. While they’ve seen their ups and downs, they’re coming into the
Olympics on a Wimbledon high. Serena
handily won her 14th grand slam title and her fifth at
Wimbledon—same as big sis Venus. The siblings also competed doubles together
for the first time since 2010…and won, natch. They’ll be playing both singles
and doubles in London.
LeBron James led
the Miami Heat to their second NBA championship ever this year. With numerous
titles (and Olympic gold) under his belt, we’d say he’s definitely b-ball
royalty.
Kim Rhode was the
youngest member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team. Four medals later, she is also
positioned to become the first American to win individual medals in five
straight Olympic Games. Her sport of choice? Shooting. She has won two gold and
one bronze in double trap, and a silver in skeet. Fun fact: She’s been using the same shotgun
in competition for 18 years.
Michael Phelps—Does
the name sound familiar? It should! He holds the record for most gold medals won
in a single Olympics, and this year, he’s trying to break gymnast Larissa
Latynina’s record of total medals won by any athlete. While teammate (and roommate!) Ryan Lochte
proves fierce competition, we’re betting this Baltimore native will hold his
own. Be on the lookout for his biggest fan—his mom!—and his signature move, arm
swings on the block.
Beezie Madden is
going after her third straight Olympic gold in team showjumping, alongside ace
teammate McClain Ward, Rich Fellers and youngin Reed Kessler.
Kerri Walsh and Misty
May-Treaner are back! After the dominant beach volleyball duo won their
second gold medal in Beijing, Misty was pretty sure she’d seen her last
Olympics. But Kerri felt otherwise—she knew the pair would be back, and after
starting their own families, they are. Though they aren’t at the peak of their
game (at their best, they won 112 tournaments in a row), the world will be
watching as the pair hit the sand once again this summer.
Jonathan Horton. This
year’s U.S. men’s gymnastics team is considered a serious contender for gold,
which they haven’t won since 1984. And the backbone of the team is Olympic vet
Jonathan Horton, who won a team bronze and an individual silver in the high bar
in Beijing. What do we love most about him? He’s a total team player.
Steven Lopez, who
could become the most decorated Taekwondo fighter of all time if he wins any
medal at the Games (he’s already won two gold, one bronze and five world
championships).
Allyson Felix has
medaled twice in the 200-meter race, once in Athens and once in Beijing. She
returns to London hoping to seize a gold medal. She will also run the 100-meter
sprint. You might remember a bit of controversy about a month ago: During the
final qualifying race at U.S. Olympic Trials, she tied for third with Jeneba
Tarmoh. The pair was going to have a runoff to decide who would run the race in
London, but Jeneba pulled out, giving Allyson her second bid to the London
Games.
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BY BRITTANY TAYLOR ON 7/25/2012 11:04:00 PM
POSTED IN athlete, olympics, London 2012