Sunday’s Best begins the first of a three-part series which takes a pictorial look at the various athletes competing in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. The London Games will feature 10,000 athletes from 200 countries competing in over 30 venues. Here’s a look at a few of this summer’s anticipated headliners…
MICHAEL PHELPS, SWIMMING – USA
America’s real-life Aquaman looks to add to his record 16 Olympic medals (including 14 gold medals) at the 2012 games. Phelps will compete in seven different events this summer foregoing the 200-meter freestyle.
ERROL SPENCE, BOXING – USA
This Dallas, Texas native intends to make good on his number one amateur rating in the U.S. in the Welterweight division. With a nickname like “The Truth” nothing short of the gold medal is expected.
KOBE BRYANT, BASKETBALL – USA
After missing the Olympics early in his career, the Black Mamba seeks a gold medal repeat performance of the 2008 Games in Beijing in which he averaged 15 points in leading Team USA to its first gold medal finish since 2000.
APRIL ROSS/JEN KESSY, VOLLEYBALL – USA
Teammates Ross and Kessy lead the charge for the Americans in beach volleyball this summer, qualifying for their first Olympic berth after falling short for the Beijing Games in 2008. The blondes look to make a great first impression in London.
JORDAN BURROUGHS, WRESTLING – USA
Having won every freestyle wrestling tournament he’s entered since 2009, this Camden, N.J. native feels confident he’ll bring home the gold in 2012. In fact, seeing gold is all dude thinks about. Burroughs’ official website is named, alliseeisgold.com. Enough said.
TRAVIS STEVENS, JUDO – USA
This Tacoma, Washington native looks to go all out during his second Olympic stint. A winner of 20 medals during his judoka international competition career, Stevens seeks to add an Olympic medal to his total.
LASHAWN MERRITT, TRACK & FIELD – USA
The reigning 400 meters Olympic champion gets a chance to defend his Olympic-best time of 43.75 seconds after a 2010 suspension from the sport. A winner of two gold medals in 2008, the case for gold in ’12 for Lashawn certainly merits attention.
LOGAN TOM, VOLLEYBALL – USA
This Olympic veteran was named “Best Scorer” at the 2008 Games winning the silver medal, her personal best in three Olympic appearances since 2000. Tom is hoping 2012 is the charm…the gold medal charm on a successful volleyball career.
MO FARAH, TRACK & FIELD – GREAT BRITAIN
This Somali-born British international is the current 5000 meter world champion looking to make amends for a disappointing finish in the 10,000 meter event at the 2008 Games in Beijing. Farah figures to try his hand at the marathon in 2012 as well.
WALLACE SPEARMON, TRACK & FIELD – USA
This 200 meters sprinter is a two-time NCAA outdoor champion who is looking for a better Olympic return from that of 2008, which resulted in a lane disqualification which stripped him of his third place finish in the 200 meters. Spearmon is currently ranked seventh on the world’s fastest runners list.
