Olympic Swimming Schedule 2012: Phelps and Franklin Set for Run at Redemption

American swimmer Michael Phelps has already carved his name into the Olympic history books with his eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics four years ago. The 27-year-old is hoping to cap what he says will be his last Olympic Games by winning three more medals, which would make him the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Missy Franklin will be hoping to make some Olympic history of her own by competing in and winning medals in a record seven events in her first Olympics.

Each swimmer already took their first swipe at a gold medal on Saturday, with Phelps finishing a disappointing fourth in the 400-meter individual medley and Franklin and the U.S. women winning bronze in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay.

Now they'll each get a shot at redemption and a chance to continue their quests for Olympic glory as the Games move past the weekend into Monday.

Men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay final (Sunday, 4 P.M. EDT)

Phelps will aim for redemption after failing to medal in the 400-meter IM Sunday evening when he joins the United States' oldest competitor at the 2012 Games, 36-year-old Jason Lezak, as the United States attempts to repeat as gold-medal winners in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay after a thrilling win over Australia in the event at the Beijing Games.

The Australians haven't forgotten that defeat, and the Aussie team rolls into London brimming with confidence. In fact, the team has even garnered a nickname, "The weapons of mass destruction," an homage to team leaders James "The Missile" Magnussen and James "The Rocket" Roberts.

Phelps recently relayed (sorry, couldn't help myself) to Andrew Webster of the News Limited Network that "we take care of our own business" when informed of the Aussies moniker, but the boys from down under might want to turn down the bravado a bit.

At the 2000 Olympics, American swimmer Gary Hall Jr. pledged that the U.S. would "smash the Australians like guitars" in this same event according to Webster's report, and after the Aussies defeated the U.S., team members strummed pretend guitars in celebration.

Women's 100-meter backstroke final (Monday, 2:51 P.M. EDT)

For Franklin, her second shot at a first Olympic gold medal will have to wait until Monday, when she participates in the finals of the women's 100-meter backstroke.

This of course assumes that Franklin qualifies for the finals, but given that the youngster is considered a gold-medal contender and set a new U.S. record at the recent Olympic trials, that appears to be a fairly safe assumption to make. 

Franklin will face exceedingly stiff competition in the backstroke, as she will square off against Olympic record holder Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, Anastasia Zuyeva of Russia and world record holder and hometown favorite Gemma Spofforth of Great Britain.

With that said, Phelps recently told the AFP that Franklin's biggest enemy in London may be her own emotions, and the Olympic legend urged the newcomer not to get too caught up in all the hoopla surrounding the Games.

"

"This week will be a completely different experience for her," said Phelps, who won an unprecedented eight gold medals in Beijing four years ago. It's non-stop. If she can control her emotional energy she will be fine, but that will be the tough part."

"

Follow @IDPManor