London 2012 Predictions: Breaking Down Americans' Best Bets for Gold

Just four years ago at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the United States came in second place in the gold medal count for the first time since 1992. China, the host country, won 51 golds, while the United States took home just 36. 

This summer at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the U.S. will attempt to turn around that shortcoming.

Below, we breakdown some of the American competitors who will have the biggest say in the country's total gold medal count:

Ryan Lochte, Men's Swimming

This is no longer just Michael Phelps' pool, and Lochte will prove that at the 2012 Games. He won six medals (three goal, two silver, one bronze) in 2008, but he was mostly second-fiddle to Phelps' dominance. 

Four years later, Lochte looks to secure his share of golds. He's a favorite in both 200- and 400-meter individual medley, the 200-meter backstroke and the team relay. 

Michael Phelps, Men's Swimming

Phelps may not be the man of the summer again, but he's still a worthy contender to bring home gold.

Battles with Lochte await in both the 200- and 400-meter individual medley, but Phelps is a heavy favorite in both the 100- and 200-meter butterfly stroke. And, like Lochte, Phelps will help anchor a favorite in the team relay. 

Gabby Douglas, Women's Gymnastics

The 16-year-old Douglas has burst onto the scene over the last year, and she's now one of the top contenders to win gold from the women's side of gymnastics.

The team gold is there for the Americans to take, which would mark the first time the U.S. has accomplished that feat in 16 years. Douglas is also a favorite to win gold in the uneven bars, and she knocked off Jordyn Wieber for the all-around individual title at the U.S. Olympic qualifying. 

McKayla Maroney, Women's Gymnastics

Maroney has one event that looks like a sure gold, and it's on the vault. She was the 2011 world champion in the event, and she also posted the top score from the American side during the U.S. championships.

It would be an upset if anyone but Maroney won gold on the vault in London. 

Team USA, Men's Basketball

Team USA isn't the Dream Team of '92, or even the Redeem Team of '08, but this is still a team that is a heavy favorite to win a gold medal. And if exhibitions are any indication, it should be an unbeaten ride to gold. 

The Americans haven't been beat in the lead up to London, finishing their exhibition season with a convincing win over Spain Tuesday. The Spanish side still figures to be Team USA's biggest hurdle to winning gold this summer. 

Team USA, Women's Basketball

The world would be shocked if the American men are knocked from gold in London, but the real upset would be if the women failed to secure gold. There's simply no country in the world that can handle the fire power of the Americans.

If Team USA did end up losing at any point in London, it would mark the first time since 1992 that the Americans didn't win gold. 

Allyson Felix, Women's Sprinting

She has had her struggles in the past, but there is probably no faster women's sprinter in the 200-meter dash than Felix. She set an American record at the U.S. Olympics Trials with a time of 21.69 seconds, and that time would almost certainly win her gold in London. 

U.S. Women's National Team, Women's Soccer

The USWNT saw their World Cup dreams go up in smoke last summer when Japan beat them a championship game shootout, but this is a revamped team with more firepower heading into the 2012 Olympic Games. 

Veteran forward Abby Wambach is the leader, but she's joined up front by one of the game's up-and-coming stars in Alex Morgan. As long as the back four gets settled in during early matches, the American will be a tough side to beat. 

Missy Franklin, Women's Swimming

Franklin arrives in London as arguably the best swimmer from the United States, which isn't bad considering she's just entering her senior year of high school. 

Her best chances for gold are likely in the 200-meter freestyle and both the 100- and 200-meter backstroke, three events where she's one of the heavy favorites. 

Venus and Serena Williams, Women's Doubles Tennis

The Williams sisters are arguably as good a lock for gold medals as the both the men's and women's basketball teams.

The two won the gold in Beijing and are now big-time favorites to repeat in London. If there's any competition, it will likely come from the French Open winners Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci. 

Ashton Eaton, Decathlon 

Eaton holds the world record for points in the decathlon, and it appears as if only fellow American Trey Hardee has the talent to keep him from gold in London. Hardee beat Eaton at the 2011 world championships, but Eaton responded this year with a world-record showing at the Olympic Trials.