Olympic Updates 2012: Most Noteworthy Results of Day 7 So Far

It's hard to believe the Olympics could even get any more exciting after Thursday's Day 6 action. It's equally hard to believe that there's still another week to go.

On Thursday, in one of the greatest moments of the 2012 Games, Michael Phelps won his 20th gold medal and did what very few thought was possible: he upstaged Ryan Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley. In gymnastics, Gabby Douglas became the fourth American woman to win the all-around gold medal.

What can top that? Here are a few early contenders from the Day 7 action.

Australia Takes Down Russia in Women's Basketball

Some of the U.S. women's toughest competition for the gold medal just got a little bit tougher. Australia's women's team earned a big 70-66 win over Russia to improve to 3-1 in Olympic play and give Russia its first loss.

Thus far, the Australians have beaten Brazil and Great Britain in addition to Russia, and their only loss came against France in the second game of the Olympic schedule. Each of Australia's games except one has been decided by six points or less.

Against Russia, 6'8" superstar Liz Cambage tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds, but according to the Associated Press, the biggest headline of the game came when she dunked to give Australia a 44-33 lead.

Women's Swimming Qualifies for Relay Final

Missy Franklin, the 17-year-old American sensation, is far from done in the Olympics, despite having already earned two gold medals and a bronze in London. On Friday morning, the women's relay team competed in the preliminaries for the 4x100-meter medley, finishing fourth in the second heat with a time of 3:58.88.

Franklin, along with teammate Rebecca Soni, didn't swim in the heats, according to the Chicago Tribune. They needed extra rest, especially Franklin, who will swim in the 200-meter backstroke final later on Friday afternoon.

As a result, the less-than-stellar time in the relay is nothing to worry about. When the U.S. has its big guns back in the pool, it bodes to give Australia some trouble, even if the Aussies have won the gold in the event at the last two Olympics, per the Tribune. 

Men's Swimming Qualifies First for Final

After Thursday's 200-meter IM showdown, this relay is going to be cake for Michael Phelps. This is the fun part.

At least, it looked like fun for the men's team on Friday morning, when it registered the fastest qualifying time in the heats, finishing the 4x100-meter medley relay in 3:32.65. The Americans finished almost a full second faster than second-place Japan in Heat 2.

Great Britain won Heat 1 with a time of 3:33.44.

Like the women, the U.S. opted to rest Phelps for the qualifier after his big day on Thursday, but he'll still have the opportunity to garner a whopping 21st medal in the final, which will take place on Saturday and will also feature Matt Grevers, Nathan Adrian and Brendan Hansen, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The U.S. has never lost this event at any Olympics, according to the Tribune, and this year isn't likely to be the first.