Olympics 2012: Superstar Athletes Who Won and Lost the Most Heading into London

There have already been a number of winners and losers in the build-up to the Olympic Games. 

Whether it's an upset win during trials, a poorly-timed slip up or a career breakthrough at exactly the right time, these Olympic athletes have changed their fortune heading into the 2012 Summer Olympics, for better or worse. 

Winner: LeBron James

The NBA MVP followed up his impressive regular season with his first career NBA championship last June.

The monkey is off LeBron's back now and he can focus all of his attention on the 2012 Summer Games and Team USA's goal of repeating as gold medal winners.

James is already an Olympic gold medalist, having won it all in Beijing four summers ago, but he can build on an already legendary legacy with another gold medal in 2012. 

Winner: Roger Federer

Roger Federer won his seventh career Wimbledon crown in July, tying Pete Sampras for the most all-time in the Open era. 

Federer's incredible run to the championship is an even bigger win considering that the Olympic tennis tournament will be held on the same All England Club grass this summer in London.

Federer has competed in four Olympics for Switzerland, but has never won a gold medal.

Winner: Gabby Douglas

Sixteen-year-old Gabby Douglas heads to London with a world of confidence in her pocket after posting the top all-around score at the US Olympic gymnastics trials in San Jose earlier this summer.

Surprisingly, Douglas topped fellow American gymnast Jordyn Wieber during the two-day competition, earning an automatic berth on the women's squad.

Douglas will lead a team of five women that will be the favorite to win team gold in London this year. 

Loser: Natalie Coughlin

Veteran American swimmer, Natalie Coughlin squeaked into the US Olympic women's swimming squad with a just-good-enough performance at the US trials in Omaha earlier this summer.

Her sixth place finish in the 100-meter freestyle in Omaha qualified her for London, but 

Just four years ago at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Coughlin became the first female American athlete to win six medals in the modern Olympic era.

Coughlin will likely take on more of a mentor role this summer in London, because at age 29 it seems, she is closing in on the end of her competitive career. 

Loser: Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt may in fact still be the world's fastest man, but his loss to Yohan Blake in the 100-meter dash at the 2012 Jamaican trials cannot be ignored.

Bolt still owns some impressive world records in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, but he is 25 this summer and facing some stiff competition in London.

Bolt will be under immense pressure to perform this year after giving way to his fellow countryman at the trials last June. 

Loser: Hope Solo

US Olympic women's soccer team goalkeeper Hope Solo tested positive for a banned substance leading up to the Olympics in London.

Solo received a public warning for the positive urine test and will now need to change the conversation with a strong outing on the pitch in London.

Solo and the American women won gold in Beijing, so they will undoubtedly be the favorites at this year's Games if Solo can stay clean, and out of trouble.