Olympics 2012: Gold Medalists Most Likely to Repeat in Rio in 2016

The 2012 Olympic Games in London provided a lot of great memories and moments ranging from Usain Bolt's continued dominance to the curtain call for Michael Phelps.

The Olympic Games also provided medals in 302 different events. It is the gold medals that garner the most attention and turn athletes into legends. After all, nobody remembers the athlete with the most silver or bronze medals in any event. If they do, it's certainly not openly discussed.

The gold medal is the ultimate achievement in a sport on the world stage. It signifies that you or your team and country are the best in the world. Winning one gold medal is a hard enough feat, much less the thought of repeating four years later.

Here are some gold-medal winners that are most likely to achieve that difficult task.

Kim Rhode

Kim Rhode is a sharpshooter.

She won her fifth consecutive medal in the Olympic Games when she won the gold in skeet. She hit 99 out of 100 to set the new record in the Olympic Games.

Kirani James

Kirani James is a national hero for Grenada.

At just 19 years old, he brought home the first medal for his country when he won the 400-meter during the track and field competition. He came into the 2012 Olympic Games in London as the reigning world champion in the event.

In 2016 he will be 23 years old and still in the prime of his running career, as long as he is able to remain healthy.

Ryan Lochte

Ryan Lochte didn't live up to most people's expectations and the hype surrounding him coming into the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He did still win two gold medals including his individual medal in the 400-meter individual medley.

With Michael Phelps out of the water, the pool should be open for him to add more gold medals to his resume as well as successfully defend his 400-meter individual medley medal.

USA Women's Soccer

USA women's soccer continued its domination over the world in London. Team USA won its fourth gold medal and fifth consecutive medal in the Olympic Games.

The team continues to add new talent and remains one of the top teams in the world.

Ashton Eaton

The winner of the decathlon used to be considered the greatest athlete in the Olympic Games.

Ashton Eaton dominated the 2012 Olympic Games in London coming off his world-record performance in the trials. He set new  Olympic record in the 100-meter for the competition.

The 24-year-old Eaton should be in prime shape to defend his gold medal when the Olympic Games go to Rio in 2016.

Sun Yang

Sun Yang won gold for China in both the 1,500-meter and 400-meter freestyle. He came into the 2012 Olympic Games as the favorite in the 1,500-meter and set a new world record for the event in London.

At the young age of 20, Yang should be poised to be the Chinese version of Michael Phelps by the time 2016 comes around.

Missy Franklin

Missy Franklin made a huge splash in the pool in London for her first Olympic Games. The 17-year-old swimmer racked up four gold medals and a bronze to add to her still developing resume.

The 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke are two medals that, barring injury, should be hers for the taking in Rio.

USA Basketball

USA basketball still dominated the world, but the margin is getting closer. Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and the rest of the Americans were able to hold off Pau Gasol and the Spanish team, but it was far from easy.

As long as the top players from the NBA continue to compete in the Olympic Games, they will be the favorite to win the gold medal. If Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade and Blake Griffin were on this year's roster, the gold-medal game may not have been as close as it was.