5 must-see events at 2012 Olympics

If you only see a few events at the 2012 Olympics, make sure you put these five on your list.

Track: Men's 100m

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One of the most anticipated events at all Olympics is the men's 100m, where the world's fastest men gather for a chance to win gold. Jamaican Usain Bolt crushed the field at the 2008 Beijing Games when he claimed the gold in 9.69 seconds to set a world record. He lowered his mark to 9.58 seconds en route to winning at the 2009 World Championships. Bolt false-started and was disqualified from the event at the 2011 Worlds. In London he is likely to face-off against fellow Jamaicans Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell and Americans Tyson Gay and Walter Dix.

 

Men's 200m Individual Medley

Compatriots Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte could go head-to-head in the men's 200m individual medley at the 2012 London Games. Phelps won the event in world-record time at the 2008 Beijing Games, but Lochte has dominated the event ever since, winning gold at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships. Phelps recently defeated Lochte in the event at the Olympic Trials. Phelps and Lochte will also face-off in the 400m IM.

 

Women's Gymnastics Individual All-Around

The U.S. women have claimed the individual all-around crown at the past two Olympics. Carly Patterson won the title in 2004 and Nastia Liukin beat out fellow American Shawn Johnson to take gold in 2008. American Jordyn Wieber, the reigning world champion, tries to keep the American streak going at the 2012 London Games. Wieber's toughest competition could come from her teammate, Gabby Douglas, who narrowly defeated Wieber at Trials.

 

Women's Beach Volleyball Final

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings enter the 2012 London Olympics as the two-time defending gold medalists in beach volleyball. May-Treanor and Walsh Jenning's attempt at a three-peat could be disrupted by tough competition from Brazil, China and fellow Americans Jen Kessy and April Ross.

 

Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay

At the 2008 Beijing Games, Jason Lezak swam the last leg to give the U.S. a thrilling come-from-behind victory in world-record time over Australia and Japan. The win gave Michael Phelps his record-breaking eighth gold medal at the Games. The U.S. continued their dominance in the event with wins at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships.


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