London 2012: Highlighting the Top Contenders in the Olympics Premier Sports

The Olympics are unique because it allows fans to witness a broad spectrum of athletic greatness. Getting the opportunity to tune into sports like handball, archery, fencing, water polo and gymnastics is always a treat, but basketball, soccer, swimming and track are the biggest draws, especially in the United States. 

Let's take a look at the favorites in each of these marquee events as the 2012 London Games rapidly approach. 

Basketball 

USA 

Team USA dubbed itself the "Redeem Team" during the 2008 Games, in an attempt to remind itself, fans and the media that the team was on a redemption tour to return the United States to international basketball prominence after a rough start to the 2000s. 

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony led the Americans to another gold medal and the first international title of any kind since 2000. 

Duke's coach Mike Krzyzewski leads another stacked squad in London this summer, one that features Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Bryant, Wade and James. 

Chris Bosh, Deron Williams, Andre Iguodala, Lamar Odom, Tyson Chandler, Blake Griffin and Kentucky star Anthony Davis are other notable players on the roster. 

Soccer/Football 

Spain

Two-time defending champion Argentina didn't qualify for the 2012 Olympics, making Spain the unquestioned favorites to take home the gold medal on the men's side. 

Javi Martinez and Thiago are the two superstars on the Spanish roster. 

La Roja shouldn't have a problem winning a group consisting of Morocco, Japan and Honduras, and they should enter the knockout stage with loads of confidence.

After failing to appear in the 2004 Olympics, Spain will look to make a profound statement in this year's Games. It'll probably see the most competition from Brazil and Great Britain, two countries that always fields strong clubs. 

Swimming

Michael Phelps 

Although he recently lost the 200-meter butterfly for the first time in nine years, and was defeated by fellow countryman Ryan Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley and 200-meter freestyle, Phelps is still the favorite in the 2012 Olympics. 

To be the best, someone will have to upend Phelps on the most grandiose stage in swimming. 

Lochte, 22-year-old American Nathan Adrian and the 6'8'' Matt Grevers will challenge Phelps. 

Brazilian speedster Cesar Cielo, who holds the world-record holder in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle, will also be a contender. 

Track 

Usain Bolt

Bolt is the fastest man living on Planet Earth. Period. He's the definitive favorite after his dominating performance in Beijing in 2008, where he easily captured three gold medals. 

He set a world record with an absolutely blistering 9.53 in the 100-meter dash at the 2009 World Championships and, remarkably, is just now entering the prime of his career at 25 years old. 

Jamaican runners Asafa Powell and Nesta Carter should challenge Bolt, but they don't pose a legitimate threat to beat him. 

American Tyson Gay has an extremely difficult task attempting to finish before the Jamaican sprinter, but he did beat Bolt in the DN Galan meet when he ran a 9.84 to Bolt's relatively slow 9.97. 

Follow @ChrisTrapasso