Michael Phelps: Previewing USA Superstar's Upcoming Swimming Events

Michael Phelps has five events remaining in his Olympic career. London has not been kind to the swimming icon thus far. Phelps had a surprising fourth-place finish in the 400-meter individual medley, a race where he was expected to challenge for the gold medal against eventual winner Ryan Lochte.

Then, in his second race of these games, the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, the U.S. team had the lead after the first three swimmers had swum their relay legs. Lochte was the anchor swimmer, and the U.S. appeared destined for the gold medal, which would have been the 15th of Phelps' illustrious career.

Unlike the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when the U.S. came from behind to catch France to win the gold medal, this time the tables were turned. France, with Yannick Agnel swimming the anchor leg, caught Lochte and passed him to win the gold. A bitterly disappointed U.S. team had to settle for silver.

Phelps will have a chance to collect more hardware on Tuesday, as he races in the 200-meter butterfly and will be part of the 4x200-meter freestyle relay. Phelps is expected to medal in each event, but as we have already seen, nothing is guaranteed.

Phelps qualified fourth in the 200-meter fly and could become the first swimmer in history to win the same event in three separate Olympic Games. This is an incredibly grueling event, and to win it in three consecutive Olympics would be quite a feat.

In the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, Phelps will swim only in the finals. The U.S. team will face stiff competition from France and Australia. Nevertheless, he should medal in this event, and if he does, he will surpass the all-time record of 18 Olympic medals, which is currently held by former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina.

Phelps will renew his rivalry with Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley on Thursday. After his poor showing in the 400 individual medley, I fully expect Phelps to come out strong in the 200. This promises to be a close, exciting race. 

On Friday, Phelps will swim the 100-meter butterfly. Like the 200-meter butterfly, Phelps has also won this race in two consecutive Olympics.

In a thrilling finish in 2008, Phelps out-touched Milorad Cavic by one one-hundredth of a second in Beijing. Cavic, who went to college at UC Berkeley, is representing Serbia and will be out for revenge. Phelps' biggest challenge may come from fellow U.S. swimmer Tyler McGill.

In what is most likely Phelps' final event of his amazing Olympic career, the U.S. team will compete in the 4x100 medley relay. As in the other relays, Phelps will most likely sit out the preliminaries. I would expect to see Phelps swim the butterfly leg in the finals, which is the third leg of the medley.

The U.S. team is the favorite to take home gold in this relay. They have never lost this event in the history of the Olympic Games. His fellow swimmers will want to send Phelps out on top, so look for a stellar race from the U.S. team.

Enjoy Michael Phelps' final five races. He is the greatest swimmer the world has ever seen.