Before the modern Olympic Games began in Greece in 1896, being referred to as an "Olympian" had an entirely different meaning. In Greek Mythology, the Olympians were the gods residing atop Mount Olympus.
While the mighty men and women competing at the London Olympics won't likely be hurling thunderbolts like Zeus -- although those throwing the javelin may disagree -- it's hard to argue that an astounding performance can't raise someone to mythic status.
Just ask Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt about the attention they got after the 2008 Beijing Games. Or Nadia Comaneci about that perfect 10 in 1976 or the Dream Team about that trip to Barcelona.
Who will be the "Michael Phelps"of the London Games? Swimming in seven events, Phelps certainly hopes that it's him. His teammate on the U.S. Swim Team, Ryan Lochte, has his own ideas and has proven quite capable of besting his decorated countryman. On the track, Bolt has no intention of ceding the spotlight to his speedy teammate Yohan Blake, nicknamed "the Beast." Such rivalries may very well produce some of the most compelling moments of the games but these are hardly the only dynamic athletes to keep an eye on.
From Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva and Chinese badminton star Lin Dan to LeBron James and Kobe Bryant on the U.S. basketball team, the 2012 London Olympics features some of the most talented athletes in the history of these Olympic disciplines.
Here are several of the Olympians primed to deliver unbelievable performances in London. Keep an eye on this group and you'll likely catch many of the Games' most memorable moments. But what unheralded athletes will step up and join this select crowd?
Let us know which Olympians from this group you're looking most forward to watching and who you think will step forward and join them.
Olympians To Watch
LeBron James(01 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Men's BasketballAGE: 27HOMETOWN: Akron, OhioOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Bronze), 2008 Beijing (Gold)*All information courtesy of www.teamusa.orgFresh off his first career NBA championship, three-time NBA MVP LeBron James is looking to add some more hardware to his expanding collection. One of the most dominant players to ever play basketball, James will try to capture his second Olympic gold medal in Team USA's title defense. (credit:Getty)
Michael Phelps(02 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Men's SwimmingAGE: 27HOMETOWN: Baltimore, MarylandOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (2 Gold, 2 Bronze), 2008 Beijing (8 Gold)*All information courtesy of www.teamusa.orgHe isn't trying to top his 2008 world record eight Olympic gold medals, but Michael Phelps still has a chance to come home with plenty of gold wrapped around his neck. Rival and teammate Ryan Lochte might have other plans, though. (credit:AP)
Usain Bolt(03 of53)
COUNTRY: JamaicaEVENT: Track and FieldAGE: 25HOMETOWN: Kingston, JamaicaOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 Beijing (3 Gold)*All information courtesy of www.usainbolt.comNeedless to say, all eyes will be on Usain Bolt when he steps on the track in London. Not just to see if he can duplicate a performance anything like what he did in 2008, but just to see the 6'5'' phenom and reigning world's fastest man compete on the world's biggest stage. (credit:AP)
Abby Wambach(04 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Women's SoccerAGE: 32HOMETOWN: Rochester, New YorkOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Gold)*All information courtesy of www.teamusa.orgAbby Wambach, last year's AP Female Athlete of the Year, isn't just trying to lead the U.S. women's soccer team to another Olympic gold medal victory. She is looking to build on the momentum in popularity she and her teammates helped build for women's soccer in the United States. (credit:AP)
Roger Federer(05 of53)
COUNTRY: SwitzerlandEVENT: Men's TennisAGE: 30HOMETOWN: Basel, SwitzerlandOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing (Gold)*All information courtesy of www.rogerfederer.comNot too long ago Roger Federer showed that he isn't done winning grand slams, defeating Andy Murray for his seventh Wimbledon title. Well, he'll be playing on those same grass courts where he has been dominant at the London Olympics. With a gold medal in doubles in 2008, Federer will be going for his first Olympic gold medal in singles. (credit:AP)
Hope Solo(06 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Women's SoccerAGE: 30HOMETOWN: Richland, WashingtonOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 Beijing (Gold)*All information courtesy of www.teamusa.orgAlthough Hope raised eyebrows recently revealing her "Olympic secret" about partying in the village in 2008, the U.S. star goalkeeper seems poised to lead her team to another gold medal without any distractions. (credit:AP)
Ryan Lochte(07 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Men's SwimmingAGE: 27HOMETOWN: Daytona Beach, FloridaOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Gold, SIlver), 2008 Beijing (2 Gold, 2 Bronze)*All information courtesy of www.teamusa.orgOne of the biggest challenges in Michael Phelps' path is teammate Ryan Lochte. Despite both representing the U.S., the pair has developed into a fierce rivalry with both getting the best of each other over the last few years. Lochte beat Phelps twice in the 2011 World Championships, but Phelps came out on top three out of four times at the Olympic trials. They're competing in two races against each other. It might be safe to say there will be plenty of viewers tuned in for those. (credit:AP)
Yelena Isinbayeva(08 of53)
COUNTRY: RussiaEVENT: Pole VaultAGE: 30HOMETOWN: Volgograd, RussiaOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Gold)*All information courtesy of www.yelena-isinbaeva.comIsinbaeva is the heavy favorite to take the gold in London, just like she did in Beijing and Athens. The 30-year-old, who's the pole vault world record holder, will try to become the first woman ever to win three consecutive Olympic track and field titles. No matter the result, her coach Valentin Maslakov expects her to retire after the London Games. (credit:AP)
Matthew Mitcham (09 of53)
COUNTRY: AustraliaEVENT: Men's DivingAGE: 24HOMETOWN: Sydney, AustraliaOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 Beijing (Gold)*All information courtesy of www.olympics.com.auNicknamed M'n'M, Matthews Mitcham is trying to repeat with an Olympic gold medal after becoming the first Australian to do so since 1924 when he received the highest single-dive score in Olympic history in Beijing. The 24-year-old openly gay diver recently said that his mental toughness "could make the difference" in winning at the London Games. (credit:AP)
Bradley Wiggins(10 of53)
COUNTRY: Great BritainEVENT: CyclingAGE: 32HOMETOWN: Eccleston, Lancashire, EnglandOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2000 Sydney (Bronze), 2004 Athens (Gold, Silver, Bronze), 2008 Beijing (2 Gold)*All information courtesy of www.teamsky.com, and The Daily MailFresh of becoming the first British cyclist ever to win the Tour de France, Bradley Wiggins looks to continue his winning ways in London. He has already won three other events in 2012 other than the Tour de France, making him one of the favorites to bring home an Olympic gold medal. (credit:AP)
Wu Peng (11 of53)
COUNTRY: ChinaEVENT: Men's SwimmingAGE: 25HOMETOWN: Hangzhou, ChinaOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing*All information courtesy of www.nbcolympics.comWu Peng didn't have the outcome he was looking for in 2008. Nobody did when Michael Phelps was in the pool. But in 2011 Peng took down Phelps twice in the 200 fly, a race Phelps hadn't lost in nine years. Peng, coming off an impressive performance at the Canada Cup, recently said he will be happy if he wins any medal in London. (credit:AP)
Sarah Robles(12 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Weightlifting AGE: 23HOMETOWN: San Diego, California OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: N/A*All information courtesy of www.nbcolympics.comSarah Roble's will look to cap her uplifting journey, in which she overcame financial struggles and body image issues, with the gold medal at the London Games. Robles, the reigning four-time National Champion for the 75+ kg division and top-tanked U.S. female weightlifter, will be competing alongside teammate Holly Mangold as the only two female weightlifters representing the United States. (credit:AP)
Mariel Zagunis(13 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: FencingAGE: 27HOMETOWN: Beaverton, OregonOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Gold), 2008 Beijing (Gold, Bronze)*All information courtesy of www.marielzagunis.comIt may be tough to believe that fencing star Mariel Zagunis was originally a replacement athlete for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. When the women's saber event made its debut in 2004, Zagunis came home with the gold becoming the first U.S. fencer in 100 years to accomplish that feat. After winning the gold in Beijing, Zagunis will try to three-pete in London. (credit:AP)
Lauren Jackson(14 of53)
COUNTRY: AustraliaEVENT: Women's Basketball AGE: 31HOMETOWN: Sydney, AustraliaOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2000 Sydney (Silver), 2004 Athens (Silver), 2008 Beijing (Silver)*All information courtesy of london2012.olympics.com.auLauren Jackson, a three-time WNBA MVP, will try to lead Australia to a gold medal after finishing with the silver in 2008. Knowing that this might be her last opportunity to win gold at age 31, Jackson skipped the first half of the 2012 WNBA season to prepare. "The one thing I haven't done in my career is get a gold medal at the Olympic Games. It may be my last opportunity," she said back in 2011. "Seattle Storm have been my priority for the past 11 years, they'll be my priority straight after the Olympics for probably the rest of my career. But this is something that I had to do." (credit:AP)
Tyson Gay(15 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Track and FieldAGE: 29HOMETOWN: Lexington, KentuckyOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 Beijing*All information courtesy of www.teamusa.orgThe fastest man in the United States set quite a benchmark for the other sprinters in the Olympic 100 meters final, believing it will take 9.7 seconds "to even get a medal" (Usain Bolt was the first to ever crack 9.8). Gay edged Bolt in 2010, but hip surgery in 2011 kept him from running for almost a year. After Gay's comment praising the other runners like Bolt, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell, the U.S. track star will look to be one of the men to beat 9.8. (credit:AP)
Kohei Uchimura(16 of53)
COUNTRY: JapanEVENT: Men's GymnasticsAGE: 23HOMETOWN: Nagasaki, JapanOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 Beijing (Silver)*All information courtesy of www.nbcolympics.comWhen your nickname happens to be "Superman," you're probably going to draw plenty of attention at the London Olympics. Kohei Uchimura, 23, won the silver medal in the men's all-around gymnastics even in the 2008 Olympics. Since then he has won three straight world championships in that same event. No other male gymnast has ever accomplished that three-pete. (credit:AP)
Caster Semenya(17 of53)
COUNTRY: South AfricaEVENT: Track and FieldAGE: 21HOMETOWN: Fairlie, South AfricaOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: N/A*All information courtesy of BBC Sport and NBCPoised to put her gender-test controversy behind her, Caster Semenya will look to dominate the 800-meters race in London just as she did at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. Semenya, who was also chosen to carry the South African flag at the opening ceremonies, finished second (800m) in the 2011 World Championships but was struggling with injury. (credit:AP)
Kenenisa Bekele(18 of53)
COUNTRY: EthiopiaEVENT: Track and FieldAGE: 30HOMETOWN: Addis Ababa, EthiopiaOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens (Gold, Silver), 2008 Beijing (2 Gold)*All information courtesy of www.nbcolympics.comKenenisa Bekele looks to continue his reign as the best long-distance runner in the world when he once again competes in the 5000- and 10,000-meter double. He did the same in 2008, winning both events and setting Olympic records in the process. The only thing that could stop him would be injuries which have slowed down the 30-year-old. But back in May, Bekele said he was "free from injury" and is aiming for gold. (credit:AP)
Neymar(19 of53)
COUNTRY: BrazilEVENT: Men's SoccerAGE: 20HOMETOWN: Mogi das Cruzes, BrazilNeymar is not only the star the Brazilian soccer team, the favorite to take home the gold, but he may be the best player in the entire field. Earlier this year, soccer legend Pele said Neymar is better than three-time world player of the year Lionel Messi. Many disagreed, but with Messi not competing in London, Neymar is easily the one to watch. (credit:AP)
Jordyn Wieber(20 of53)
COUNTRY: United StatesEVENT: Women's GymnasticsAGE: 17HOMETOWN: Dewitt, MichiganJordyn Wieber - USA, gymnastics: Going into her first Olympic games as the reigning world champion in the individual all-around, the 17-year-old Jordyn Wieber of the United State is the heavy favorite to come home with the gold. (credit:AP)
Lolo Jones(21 of53)
COUNTRY: United StatesEVENT: HurdlesAGE: 29OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2008 BeijingU.S. hurdler Lolo Jones almost missed out on a trip to London during the Olympic trials, but overcame some early struggles to earn a spot on her second straight Olympic team. Now will be looking for redemption in London after coming so close to winning gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. only to trip up late and fail to get a medal in a dramatic finish. (credit:AP)
Thierry Omeyer(22 of53)
COUNTRY: FranceEVENT: HandballAGE: 35Not only was Thierry Omeyer one of the few goalkeepers to be named International Handball Federations [IHF] World Player of the Year in 2008, but he was also voted the best goalkeeper of all time in a 2010 IHF poll. He will try to lead France to a repeat gold medal victory in London. (credit:AP)
Lin Dan(23 of53)
COUNTRY: ChinaEVENT: BadmintonAGE: 28HOMETOWN: Longyan, ChinaOLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing (Gold) (credit:AP)
Juan Mata(24 of53)
COUNTRY: SpainEVENT: Men's SoccerAGE: 24 (credit:AP)
Pau Gasol(25 of53)
COUNTRY: SpainEVENT: Men's BasketballAGE: 32 (credit:AP)
Caroline Wozniacki(26 of53)
COUNTRY: DenmarkEVENT: Women's TennisAGE: 22 (credit:AP)
Gabrielle Douglas(27 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Women's GymnasticsAGE: 16 (credit:AP)
Deron Williams(28 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Men's BasketballAGE: 28 (credit:Getty)
Serge Ibaka(29 of53)
COUNTRY: SpainEVENT: Men's BasketballAGE: 22 (credit:AP)
Allyson Felix(30 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Track and FieldAGE: 26 (credit:AP)
Natalie Coughlin(31 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Women's SwimmingAGE: 29 (credit:AP)
Megan Rapinoe (32 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Women's SoccerAGE: 27 (credit:AP)
Ashton Eaton(33 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: DecathlonAGE: 24 (credit:AP)
Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh(34 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Beach VolleyballAGE: 34, 33 (credit:AP)
Oscar Pistorius(35 of53)
COUNTRY: South AfricaEVENT: Track and FieldAGE: 25 (credit:AP)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga(36 of53)
COUNTRY: FranceEVENT: Men's TennisAGE: 27 (credit:AP)
Russell Westbrook(37 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Men's BasketballAGE: 23 (credit:AP)
Stephanie Rice(38 of53)
COUNTRY: AustraliaEVENT: Women's SwimmingAGE: 24 (credit:AP)
Chris Hoy(39 of53)
COUNTRY: Great BritainEVENT: CyclingAGE: 36 (credit:AP)
Eamon Sullivan(40 of53)
COUNTRY: AustralianEVENT: Men's SwimmingAGE: 26 (credit:Getty)
Asafa Powell(41 of53)
COUNTRY: JamaicaEVENT: Track and FieldAGE: 29 (credit:Getty)
Cullen Jones(42 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Men's SwimmingAGE: 28 (credit:AP)
Yohan Blake(43 of53)
COUNTRY: JamaicaEVENT: Track and FieldAGE: 22 (credit:AP)
James Harden(44 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Men's BasketballAGE: 22 (credit:Getty)
Anthony Davis(45 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Men's BasketballAGE: 19 (credit:Getty)
Novak Djokovic(46 of53)
COUNTRY: SerbiaEVENT: Men's TennisAGE: 25 (credit:Getty)
Jessica Ennis (47 of53)
COUNTRY: Great BritainEVENT: Track and FieldAGE: 26 (credit:AP)
Bradley Wiggins(48 of53)
COUNTRY: Great BritainEVENT: CyclingAGE: 32 (credit:Getty)
Maria Sharapova(49 of53)
COUNTRY: RussiaEVENT: Women's TennisAGE: 25 (credit:AP)
Maya Moore(50 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Women's BasketballAGE: 23 (credit:AP)
Bryan Clay(51 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: DecathlonAGE: 32 (credit:AP)
Queen Underwood(52 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Women's BoxingAGE: 28 (credit:AP)
Trey Hardee(53 of53)
COUNTRY: USAEVENT: Track and FieldAGE: 28 (credit:AP)
CORRECTION: A previous version misstated Ryan Lochte's event information.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.