Summer Olympics 2012: Most Musclebound Athletes for Team USA

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There are countless reasons as to why people are drawn to the Olympic Games. The competition for sport and country are certainly drivers, as is the amazing physical talents of the participants.

For some viewers, the sheer visual aesthetics is ample reason to tune in. While beach volleyball is a great sport, the odds of the groundswell of popularity like has something to do with the outfits.

One thing that should not be overlooked is the amount of time and effort the athletes dedicate to sculpting their physique and mastering their sport. Bulging biceps and four-percent body fat don't just happen.

Some will appreciate this article for the pictures, but it is designed as a tribute to the dedication of these amazing athletes.

With apologies to the many deserving competitors that weren't included in the list, here are 30 muscle-bound (or at least very fit) American athletes that will be competing in the 2012 Olympic Games.

U.S. Men's Gymnastics Team

The U.S. men's gymnastics team at the 2011 World Championships
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As the father of a young gymnast, it is hard to not notice how strong the competitors in this sport are, particularly the males. They begin to show defined muscle development very early and build from there.

While the ladies need a blend of strength and grace, the men have apparatuses (rings and pommel horse, for example) that require raw power.

The following eight gymnasts (five team members plus three alternates) will be representing the United States in the London Games.

 

Jake Dalton, Reno, Nevada (University of Oklahoma)

Jonathan Horton, Houston, Texas (Cypress)

Danell Leyva, Miami, Florida (Universal Gymnastics)

Sam Mikulak, Newport Coast, California (University of Michigan)

John Orozco, the Bronx, N.Y. (U.S. Olympic Training Center)

Alternates

Chris Brooks, Houston, Texas (Cypress)

Steven Legendre, Port Jefferson, N.Y. (University of Oklahoma)

Alexander Naddour, Gilbert, Ariz. (USA Youth Fitness Center)

Carmelita Jeter

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Athlete: Carmelita Jeter

Age: 32

Ht / Wt: 5'4" / 117 lbs

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Sport: Track

Events: 100-meter dash

Betsey Armstrong

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Athlete: Betsey Armstrong

Age: 29

Ht / Wt: 

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Sport: Water Polo

Position: Goal Keeper

Highlight: Named best female water polo player for 2010 by FINA Aquatics World Magazine.

Tony Azevedo

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Athlete: Tony Azevedo

Age: 30

Ht / Wt: 6'1" / 198 lbs

Hometown: Long Beach, California

Sport: Water Polo

Highlights: U.S. Team Captain; plays professionally for with Bissolati Cremona (Italy) and is one of the highest-paid in his sport.

Alysia Montano

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Athlete: Alysia Montano

Age: 26

Ht / Wt: 

Hometown: Queens, New York

Sport: Track

Events: 800-meters

Chaunte Lowe

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Athlete: Chaunte Lowe

Age: 28

Ht / Wt: 5'9" / 130 lbs

Hometown: Riverside, California

Sport: Track and Field

Events: High jump

Queen Underwood

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Athlete: Queen Underwood

Age: 28

Ht / Wt: 5'5" / 132 lbs

Hometown: Seattle, Washington

Sport: Boxing

Jamel Herring

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Athlete: Jamel Herring

Age: 26

Ht / Wt: 5'10" / 141 lbs

Hometown: Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Sport: Boxing

Angelo Taylor

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Athlete: Angelo Taylor

Age: 33

Ht / Wt: 6'2" / 185 lbs

Hometown: Decatur, Georgia

Sport: Track and Field

Events: 400-meter hurdles

Kendrick Farris

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Athlete: Kendrick Farris

Age: 26

Ht / Wt: 5'9" / 174 lbs

Hometown: Shreveport, Louisiana

Sport: Weightlifting

LeBron James

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Athlete: LeBron James

Age: 27

Ht / Wt: 6'8" / 249 lbs

Hometown: Akron, OH

Sport: Men's Basketball

Highlights: 2012 NBA Champion and three-time League MVP

Ryan Lochte

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Athlete: Ryan Lochte

Age: 27

Hometown: Daytona Beach, Florida

Sport: Swimming

Events: 200-meter freestyle, 200-meter backstroke, 200- and 400-meter individual medley

Brittany Viola

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Athlete: Brittany Viola

Age: 25

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Sport: Diving

Troy Dumais

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Athlete: Troy Dumais

Age: 32

Ht / Wt: 5'6", 160 lbs

Hometown: Ventura, California

Sport: Diving

Meghan Musnicki

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Athlete: Meghan Musnicki

Age: 29

Ht / Wt: 5'11" / 175 lbs

Hometown: Naples, NY

Sport: Rowing

Events: Women's 8

The rest of the 42-person Olympic team also deserve consideration in this grueling sport.

Ken Jurkowski

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Athlete: Ken Jurkowski

Age: 30

Ht / Wt: 6'2" / 210 lbs

Hometown: New Fairfield, Connecticut

Sport: Rowing

Events: Single Skulls

Aly Raisman

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Athlete: Aly Raisman

Age: 18

Ht / Wt: 5'2" / 

Hometown: Needham, MA

Sport: Gymnastics

Marcus Browne

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Athlete: Marcus Browne

Age: 21

Ht / Wt: 6'2" / 179 lbs

Hometown: Staten Island, NY

Sport: Boxing

Jordan Burroughs

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Athlete: Jordan Burroughs

Age: 23

Weight: 163 lbs

Hometown: Sicklerville, N.J.

Sport: Wrestling

Class: 74 kg.

Kelsey Campbell

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Athlete: Kelsey Campbell

Age: 27

Ht / Wt: 5'2" / 121 lbs

Hometown: Milwaukie, Oregon

Sport: Wrestling

Class: 55 kg.

Sydney Leroux

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Athlete: Sydney Leroux

Age: 22

Height: 5'7"

Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Phoenix, Arizona

Sport: Soccer

Leroux's parents are from the United States and Canada, making her eligible for either country's Olympic team.

From Sydney Leroux's Twitter account, @sydneyleroux

Hyleas Fountain

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Athlete: Hyleas Fountain

Age: 31

Ht / Wt: 5'7" / 143 lbs

Hometown: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Sport: Track and Field

Events: Heptathlon

Trey Hardee

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Athlete: Trey Hardee

Age: 28

Ht / Wt: 6'5" / 209 lbs

Hometown: Vestavia Hills and Austin, Texas

Sport: Track and Field

Events: Decathlon; defending World Champion

Tyson Gay

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Athlete: Tyson Gay

Age: 29

Ht / Wt: 5'11" / 165 lbs

Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky

Sport: Track

Events: 100- and 200-meters

Jordyn Wieber

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Athlete: Jordyn Wieber

Age: 17 (on July 12)

Ht / Wt: 5'2" / 105 lbs

Hometown: DeWitt, Michigan

Sport: Gymnastics

Highlight: 2011 All-Around World Champion