Olympics Gymnastics 2012: Ranking Top Individual Events in London

The gymnastics events always provide plenty of thrills and heroics, and this year in London should be even more spectacular.

There are plenty of contenders in several key events in the 2012 Summer Games, with numerous countries represented by front-runners.

Whether it's a 37-year-old trying to defy logic or a teenage phenom ready to pounce on the competition, there is a wealth of intrigue in men's and women's gymnastics this year.

Here's a look at the top events sure to put on a show in London. 

4. Women's Vault

While American McKayla Maroney should be the favorite in the women's vault, watch out for Oksana Chusovitina.

In a women's sport where you are basically written off once you get into your mid-20s, the 37-year-old Chusovitina has defied the odds and is considered a prime contender for the gold medal this year.

Chusovitina, who won her first world title way back in 1991, is the reigning Olympic silver medalist in the vault. She won a gold medal with the Unified Team in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Medaling at this age is a big enough accomplishment, but if Chusovitina can somehow win the gold, it would be one of the most improbable victories in the history of Olympics gymnastics. 

3. Men's Horizontal Bar

Zou Kai, the reigning Olympic champion in the horizontal bar, figures to be the favorite in the event this year, but he has a wealth of contenders nipping at his heels in what should be a fantastic showdown.

Russia's Emin Garibov, who won at the European Championships this year, should offer plenty of competition, but you also have reigning all-around champion Kohei Uchimura, Chenglong Zhang, Fabian Hambuchen and Epke Zonderland. All of these guys have a legitimate shot at the gold medal in the event.

2. Men's All-Around

Kohei Uchimura is respected worldwide, especially after capturing the all-around silver medal in 2008. He's a fantastic gymnast who excels in multiple events and, even with strong competition this year, he's largely regarded as the favorite.

Of course, you have Germany's Phillip Boy, who won the all-around gold medal in the 2011 European Championships and the silver medal in the World Championships last year.

You also have rising Americans Danell Leyva and John Orozco, who are ready to make waves in London.

1. Women's All-Around

The U.S. women's team has a lot to be hopeful for heading into the 2012 London Olympics, in large part because of Jordyn Wieber and teen sensation Gabby Douglas. 

Wieber, 17, won the world title in the all-round last year and Douglas, 16, beat out Wieber in the U.S. Olympic trials this year.

Beyond the two exciting Americans, you also have an emerging gymnast in Russian Viktoria Komova. Komova was barely beaten out by Wieber in the 2011 World Championships, but she rebounded by capturing the gold on the uneven bars. This should be a fantastic showdown between the three.

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