Summer Olympic Predictions: Athletes Most Likely to Win First U.S. Gold Medal

Note to the rest of the world: Don't bet against the United States of America.

I am not trying to be harsh, but when it comes to Summer Olympic events, we are a tough act to follow and an even tougher act to beat.

Whether it is on the track, in the pool, on a diving board or in a gymnasium, we have the horses to run with the best of the world, and we will put our athletes up against the best of the best.

It's hard to say who will be wearing the first gold medal for the U.S. There are plenty of contenders and plenty of surprises who could take place in London.

The only thing we or this writer can guarantee is that there will be gold medals to be had, and we Americans will be wearing plenty of them.

Here are some Olympians who could be some of the first to look good in gold.

Tyson Gay, Track and Field

Can anyone challenge Usain Bolt?

Don't look now, but Gay is one of the strong American hopefuls to keep up with Bolt and the other world-class sprinters in London.

Last time we saw Bolt in an Olympic event, he was pulling away from the competition—and it wasn't even close.

Hopefully Gay has enough fire power to reel in the big fish and pull toward a gold medal.

Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps, Swimming

While Phelps already has eight gold medals and counting, Lochte looks to push his rival and teammate off the podium.

Or a step down or two.

The two will meet in both the 200- and 400-meter individual medley races.

Lochte looked every bit Phelps' equal in qualifying. Now he must prove he has the stroke to defeat the king in the water.

I personally think it can be done.

Lolo Jones, Track and Field

We were fascinated by her announcement of her "status" earlier this year, but we should be more concerned with the fact she is an amazing track and field star in the hurdles.

If Jones does not win the hurdle events, there is something wrong.

The Americans have a strong team this year, and Jones looks to capitalize on the fact she is the best in the world.

Gabby Douglas, Gymnastics

The U.S. originally had hopes that Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson could bring home a medal. But now, "The Flying Squirrel" hopes to turn a few heads.

The U.S. Olympic gymnastic team is looking for the next Marylou Retton and Keri Strug.

Hopefully it will find them this year with Douglas leading the way.

John Orozco, Gymnastics

China and the United States are the teams to beat on the men's gymnastic side.

While many of the Olympic fans will have their eyes on Kohei Uchimura, Orozco and the men's hopefuls could make some real noise in London.

Jordan Burroughs, Wrestling

It is possible that the only person who can stop Burroughs is himself.

Most of the Olympic competition has already seen Burroughs in world competition and lost to the 163-pounder.

If he claims the gold, Burroughs will continue a long line of outstanding U.S. wrestlers dating back to Kurt Angle in 1996.

Holley Mangold, Weightlifting

We have been hearing about Mangold for years, first as a football play in the mold of her brother Nick and now a medal hopeful.

There seems to be nothing stopping her.

If Mangold can play football in high school and excel in weightlifting, who knows what could be next for her.

Having a professional football player for a brother (Nick plays center for the Jets) may be just enough to push Holley toward gold.

Missy Franklin, Swimming

While we all have been watching Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps on the men's side, the women can boast about their hopefuls as well.

Franklin could be the first to hoist gold.

Will she emerge as the next Mary T. Meagher or Amanda Beard or Janet Evans?

She doesn't need to be them. She just needs to swim her own style, which may be good enough to capture gold in London