Summer Olympics 2012: Top Storylines Heading into Day 7

Day Six of the 2012 London Olympic Games really was a blockbuster event. Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte went at it again for swimming supremacy, the women's all-around gymnastics champion was crowned and the tennis men's singles trimmed down from eight to four.

At the end of the day, the U.S. regained the medal lead from China and Great Britain got on the board among the top 10, notching several rowing and cycling medals on the day.

It was a great day for competition, but it is now time to turn the page to Day Seven and more great events that wait to happen.

From the tennis semifinals to Michael Phelps' last individual race in the pool, there are a handful of great story lines to follow on Day Seven. Here are the top five that you don't want to miss.

1. The Medal Race Between the U.S. and China

As expected, the U.S. and China have been jostling for top honors in the medal count. From the first day to the sixth, these two teams have held the top two spots and have been going back and forth, each trying to top the other.

It was China that held the lead ever since the first day. Although the U.S. and China were tied at the end of quite a few days, China maintained a solid gold medal lead. Going into Day Six, they were ahead of the U.S. in golds by five.

At the end of the night, however, it was America that had taken a medal lead. They secured six golds and eight total medals in their best day of competition so far. They currently sit tied atop the leader board with China as each has 18 golds apiece. The U.S. however now leads 37-34 in the total medal standings.

With the competition in the medal hunt and the Games themselves heating up, China and the U.S. both look to medal again on the seventh day of competition.

China will be assured two medals as they have an all Chinese badminton final and the U.S. will also be favored in a handful of swimming events including the men's 4x100 medley relay, which in the history of the event, they have never lost.

It will definitely be interesting to see who stands atop the medal count at the end of Day Seven.

2. Michael Phelps Races His Final Individual Olympic Event

It will be very emotional for Michael Phelps, his family, his teammates and his loyal American and worldwide fans when he takes the pool for the 100-meter butterfly swim, his last individual event of the Summer Games.

Since Phelps announced that London will be his last Olympic Games, every race has been incredibly meaningful as he knows they will be his last. He has already done more than anyone could hope for in an Olympic career and cemented his already great legacy by winning his 20th medal, beating Ryan Lochte no less, in the 200-meter IM on Thursday.

Needless to say, it will be a great race to watch as Phelps takes his last shot at an individual gold and as it so happens, it is the event in which he just won by the smallest of margins in Beijing.

3. Novak Djokovic Takes on Andy Murray for a Spot in the Tennis Finals

It really has to come as no surprise that three of the top four players in the world (world No.3 Rafael Nadal did not enter the Olympic Games) are fighting for two spots in the finals of the men's tennis competition during the Games.

Roger Federer plays Juan Martin Del Potro on Day Seven but the real blockbuster match is between world No. 2 Novak Djokovic and world No. 4 Andy Murray.

Murray got oh so close to his first major title just a few weeks ago at Wimbledon. He fell to Federer, however, in the finals.

In the London Olympic Games, Murray, a native of Scotland, is wearing the colors of Great Britain on his back and never has there been more pressure and expectations on a player as the ones he faces. Although it won't be a major, it is on the same grass as Wimbledon and will be for the honor and glory of his home country. For Andy Murray, no victory will be greater.

Djokovic on the other hand will be looking to complete the career golden slam, one of the rarest and most respected feats in tennis. He has looked shaky at times during the Olympic Games and has dropped a few sets along the way, but he is still one of the best in the game and cannot be counted out.

4. Missy Franklin and Elizabeth Beisel Battle for the Gold in the 200-Meter Back

Missy Franklin and Elizabeth Beisel are not only the next generation of American swimming excellence, but they are also America's poster girls, each with a medal already around their next.

Both of them will once again be going for individual gold on Friday in the 200-meter backstroke. Beisel recorded a personal best and qualified first overall and Franklin is the defending world champion as this is arguably her best event.

It should be a great swim to watch these two young future stars go head-to-head for the gold. In a few years, who knows, it might even amount to a duel worthy of Lochte-Phelps media attention. 

5. Track and Field Competition Kicks off

As swimming nears its end, track and field prepares to kick off, with a schedule of huge qualifying events including the women's 100 and 400-meter dashes set to take place on Day Seven.

In addition to key finals, starting off the medal competition will be the men's shot put finals, where a gold medalist will be crowned.

Also on the day are the first five events of the women's heptathlon where Britain's Jessica Ennis, pictured above, will look to unseat defending champion and 2008 bronze medalist, Tatyana Chernova.