Allison Schmitt: Why Young American Should Be Feared in 2012 London Olympics

The last time Allison Schmitt participated in the Summer Olympics, she helped the U.S. women's swimming team capture a bronze medal in Beijing.

But this time around, Schmitt has her sights set on a grander prize: the gold medal.

Schmitt, 22, is not the same swimmer she was four years ago. She had the best performance of her career at the U.S. Olympics trials this year, setting the American record in the 200-meter freestyle while beating out a talented pool of competitors, including teenage star Missy Franklin.

Schmitt also won the 400-meter freestyle with a time of 4 minutes, 2.84 seconds. She qualified for the 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle, the 400-meter freestyle relay and the 800-meter freestyle relay.

Not only are the Americans favored to win the gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle relay over such world powers as Australia and China, Schmitt has a legitimate shot of capture gold at the 200-meter freestyle.

Schmitt faces heavy competition in the 200 meters, including Franklin, Camille Muffatt and defending Italian champion Federica Pellegrini, but she showed she could beat Franklin in the Olympic trials and some believe Pellegrini won't be as spectacular this time around.

There's also the aspect of momentum. Schmitt comes into the 2012 London Olympics in career-best form after the Olympic trials. Her victory over Franklin was evidence enough. It's not just about medaling this time around; you can bet she's going for the gold.

But her role on the U.S. team is important to note, too. She helped her team capture a gold in the 800-meter freestyle relay in the 2011 World Championships. She'll be a big part of the women's effort to capture a second straight gold in the relay.

Don't sleep on Schmitt this year. She may just shock the world.

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