2012 Olympic Gymnastics Team: Greatest Threats to Jordyn Wieber's Crown

Believe it or not, Jordyn Wieber isn’t a lock for gold.

While the star of the 2012 U.S. women’s gymnastics team is favored to defend her title as the best artistic gymnast in the world, she has plenty of competition. If Wieber doesn’t win the individual all-around gold medal in London, here are the most likely candidates to knock her off.

3. Yao Jinnan

China is always a gymnastics juggernaut, and this year Yao Jinnan is their most talented female gymnast. In the 2011 Tokyo World Championships, she led the Chinese to a bronze medal in the team competition and also placed third in the individual all-around.

The balance beam is her specialty as she took home silver in that event as well. Her ability to defeat her own teammate—Sui Lu, who won gold on the balance beam—will play a major role in whether Yao challenges Wieber.

2. Gabby Douglas

Gabby Douglas has never won an individual all-around gold medal in the World, Pacific Rim, Pan American or Visa Championships. The only medal that she earned in Tokyo was in the team competition.

Despite her unintimidating resume, Douglas is a favorite to upset Wieber because she won the 2012 U.S. Trials. While Douglas’ overall success pales in comparison to Wieber’s, momentum is on her side.

1. Viktoria Komova

No one would be shocked if Viktoria Komova won gold in London. She’s won countless medals in major competition and is one of the most prestigious names in the sport. At the 2011 Worlds, she was forced to settle for silver after losing to Wieber by the score of 59.382 to 59.349.

Komova’s specialty is the uneven bars, in which she took home gold in Tokyo. She’ll be in the mix for multiple gold medals once again this summer and if Russia shocks USA for team gold, Komova will be the instigator of the upset.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels