London 2012: Examining Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh-Jennings' Threepeat Hopes

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings will claim a third consecutive gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

The two have dominated Beach Volleyball over the past 10 years, and that has included the past two Olympics games. They surely have a target on their sun-tanned backs, but they are more than capable of handling the pressure.

Shauna Mullin and Zara Dampney of Great Britain will have the local fans on their side, but it won't be enough to derail the two-time defending Olympic champions.

Perhaps the Americans' biggest challenge will come from China's Xue Chen and Zhang Xi. They were the Bronze medalists in 2008 and will be hoping the team of May-Treanor and Walsh-Jennings have declined enough to facilitate a win.

They are the most accomplished team the Americans will face. 

The biggest reason for their sustained dominance is chemistry.

Ever since this team got together in 2002, they have clicked, and the results were almost immediate. They had successful runs internationally, and their Olympic success has been unprecedented.

But the Americans are certainly not the youngest competitors in the event. May-Treanor is 35 and Walsh-Jennings is 33 years old.

May-Treanor has made it clear that this will be her last Olympic competition. She wants to start a family, so this event carries extra meaning.

She has had to battle through tons of adversity to get to this point. She lost her mom just before the 2004 games, and in 2008 she ruptured her Achilles tendon competing on Dancing With the Stars.

Per the Washington Post, May-Treanor said:

"

We understand fully — maybe too much — how special our journey is,” Walsh said. “We know that London is our last tournament together for the rest of our careers. That’s a really big deal after an amazing ride.

"

With so much motivation, and such a large gap between them and the their next closest competitors, May-Treanor and Walsh-Jennings will win Gold again.

This is likely to be their toughest journey to Gold of the three, but the most rewarding.

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