Olympic Swimming 2012: Previewing Most Exciting Upcoming Events

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London has already provided us with some unexpected swimming action on the very first day. 

Michael Phelps, who took home a record eight gold medals in Beijing in 2008, just barely qualified for the final 400-meter individual medley after a disappointing finish of four minutes, 13.33 seconds. 

Phelps still has a shot at the gold in the event, but it's already clear that the overall action will be a little more unpredictable this time around.

Rather than having practically every event dominated by Phelps, the London Olympics will provide surprises and upsets. 

If you want to cut to the chase and get right to the big-time swimming events, here are the top upcoming events guaranteed to provide entertainment.

Men's 400-Meter Individual Medley Final 

Michael Phelps holds the world record in this event at 4:03.84, but this time he struggled to qualify for the final round and barely earned the eighth spot. 

In the preliminary round, Kosuke Hagino of Japan finished with the best time (4:10.01), while USA team member Ryan Lochte finished with the third-best time (4:12.25). 

Phelps will compete for the gold, but the stout competition makes this one a can't-miss event. 

Date: Saturday, July 28 

Time: 2:30 p.m. EDT

Men's 200-Meter Individual Medley Final 

Michael Phelps holds the world record for the 400-meter individual medley, but USA teammate Ryan Lochte is the record holder of the 200-meter medley (1:54.00). 

But even though Lochte is the record holder for the event, he only won the bronze medal in Bejing during the 2008 Olympics and finished behind Phelps. 

Lochte is obviously capable of taking Phelps down in this event, the only question is whether or not he'll be able to execute. 

Date: Thursday, August 2

Time: 2:30 p.m. EDT

Women's 4x100-Meter Freestyle Final 

Missy Franklin has been generating the most headlines on the women's side of the USA Olympic swim team. 

The 17-year-old prodigy is an Olympic rookie who sat out of the 4x100-meter freestyle semifinals in order to conserve energy (according to the Denver Post), but the hyped swimmer will make her debut in the final round. 

Franklin's first event is something to look forward to. 

Date: Saturday, July 28 

Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT

Men's 200-Meter Freestyle Final

Michael Phelps struggled in the 400-meter individual medley and could fail to win the gold medal. 

If he does fail in that event, his next shot at redemption will be the 200-meter freestyle, which will be the second of seven total events for Phelps. 

Following the 200-meter freestyle, Phelps will also appear in the 200-meter butterfly, the 4x-200-meter freestyle, the 200-meter individual medley, the 100-meter fly and the 4x100-meter medley. 

Date: Monday, July 30 

Time: 2:30 p.m. EDT