London 2012: Everything You Need to Know About US Olympic Swim Team

Once again, the U.S. swim team will make a big splash at the Summer Olympics this year in London.  

With swimmers such as Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Natalie Coughlin and Missy Franklin, the Americans will steal the show and look to dominate in nearly every event.

Michael Phelps

During an interview on 60 Mintues with Anderson Cooper, Phelps revealed that he will be retiring from swimming after the completion of the 2012 Olympics.  

After his record eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing games, Phelps struggled in the pool and suffered from aquatic burnout due to his intense training regimen. However, he is now determined to succeed in London and end his historic career on a good note.  

Phelps is set to enter seven events in next week's U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha, Nebraska, according to Yahoo! Sports' Pat Forde. Those events include the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medleys (the 400-meter IM is often viewed as the most grueling event in swimming), the 100 and 200 butterflies, the 100 and 200 freestyles and the 200 backstroke. Phelps is only seeded No. 1 in the two butterfly events.  

While he is set to compete in seven events, don't expect him to swim in all seven. At age 27, Phelps may not be able to handle the heavy training load he could four years ago.  

Whichever events Phelps decides to compete in, one thing will be sure: Fans from all over the country will be rooting for him to win gold and go out on top.

Ryan Lochte

Phelps' biggest rival and greatest threat at these Olympics is fellow American Ryan Lochte. According to the World-Herald's Steve Beideck, Lochte is set to enter 11 events in the trials next week but will not be swimming in all 11. Of those 11 events, Lochte is seeded No. 1 in four—400 IM, 200 freestyle, 200 backstroke and 200 IM.  

Lochte has been on a roll lately and will be extremely difficult to beat in London. As of now, Phelps and Lochte are set to square off in six events in Omaha. What a sight that will be—two of the top swimmers in the world battling for the chance to represent their country at the Olympics.  

Lochte is viewed as the new up-and-comer in swimming, so don't be surprised if he adds to his six medals from the Beijing games this summer in London.

Natalie Coughlin

Natalie Coughlin is an 11-time Olympic medal winner and is entered in five events as of now. She is seeded first in the 100 backstroke, second in the 100 freestyle, third in the 100 butterfly, sixth in the 200 IM and 26th in the 50 freestyle.  

Coughlin will also look to help the U.S. by participating in the 800-meter medley relay and the 400-meter freestyle relay.  

While there are many younger, fresher swimmers on the U.S. team trying to qualify for London, Coughlin's experience and proven work ethic will separate her from the rest. And that experience and ability to mentor will be especially valuable in the relay events, in which the Americans are favored , according to Mike Gustafson of USA Swimming.

Missy Franklin

The 17-year-old phenom Missy Franklin is set to race in five events in Omaha and is seeded first or second in four. At 6'1'' with size 13 feet, Franklin certainly has the physique of an Olympic swimmer.  

There's a reason her father gave her the nickname "Missile Missy". In the 2011 World Championships, Franklin finished third in the 50-meter backstroke and placed first in the 200-meter backstroke, suggesting her strength lies in longer races where her endurance can be of great use.

She was also part of the American teams that took first in the 800-meter medley relay and the 400-meter freestyle relay.  

Franklin will certainly be one of the highlights in the pool at this summer's Olympic games.  

With these sort of athletes and stories on display at the Olympics, you can be sure that the Americans in the pool will highlight the Olympic swimming events.