Allison Schmitt: Why American Is a Lock to Bring Home Gold in Freestyle

When it comes to the American swimming team for the 2012 London Olympics, the two names everybody immediately thinks about are Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. Allison Schmitt will soon join those two superstars in the spotlight.

The 22-year-old Pennsylvania native enjoyed her first Olympic experience four years ago in Beijing, even picking up a bronze medal as a part of one of the relay teams. Four years later, she's ready to accomplish a lot more than that.

Schmitt will take part in four events in London. Her schedule includes the 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle, 4x100-meter freestyle relay and 4x200-meter freestyle relay. She set the American record for the 200-meter free during the Olympic trials.

If everything falls her way, she has a chance to walk away with medals in all four events. At the very least, her haul should include three medals, with the 400-meter free being the only event where Schmitt faces an uphill battle.

Her best opportunity for gold will come in the 200-meter freestyle. Based on her previous Olympic experience and performance leading up to the Olympics, it would be a surprise if she didn't stand atop the podium for that race.

Schmitt's biggest competition may come from fellow American Missy Franklin. The phenom will be making her first Olympic appearance, though. Just like Schmitt four years ago, she will quickly learn that the Games are a completely different animal.

The relays are setting up as match races between the United States and Australia. Those two countries hold a wide edge over the rest of the world, but are pretty evenly matched and should provide plenty of drama in the pool.

Schmitt will feature prominently in both of those races. It's crucial that she swims quick legs because the margin for errors is so slim between the two countries and it would be incredibly difficult for her teammates to make up any lost time.

In Beijing, she might not have been ready for that pressure. With her first Olympics under her belt and four more years of preparation behind her, she should be prepared for whatever is thrown at her this time around, and that's good news for Team USA.

All told, it's setting up to become a very successful trip to London for Schmitt. The United States usually adds a bunch of medals to its overall total during the swimming events.

Schmitt will play a key role in making sure that happens again in 2012.