US athletes to watch in London

Swimmers, track stars among those not willing to settle for silver

LONDON – With the Opening Ceremonies Friday night, the 30th Olympiad is officially underway.

The U.S. has won more Olympic medals than any other country in history and over the next 16 days, Team USA will fight to continue its dominance.

All of the athletes in London want nothing more than to bring home a medal, but there are a handful of elite competitors who are determined to not settle for anything less than gold. Here are a few American athletes to watch.

Allyson Felix, Track & Field
Silver won't cut it for 26-year-old track phenom Allyson Felix heading to her third Olympic Games. The sprinter clinched silver in individual races in both Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008—where she lost by two-tenths of a second.

Felix has a team gold from Beijing, but in London, she's determined to capture that elusive individual gold.

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings, Beach Volleyball
A lot has happened to Misty May-Treatnor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings since we saw them dominate the sand in Beijing. Their return to a third Olympics in London was in doubt after Treanor suffered an Achilles injury after the Beijing games, and Walsh-Jennings gave birth to two sons.

But the beach volleyball duo still feels like they have more to prove. Winning gold this time would make them the first team ever to win three gold medals in their sport.

Missy Franklin, Swimming
At 17-year-old, Missy Franklin is thrilled about two things—getting to the Olympics and finally getting her driver's license. The teen swimming star, nicknamed "The Missile," broke an American record in the 100-meter backstroke, securing her spot on Team USA.

"It feels like a dream," Franklin said.

Franklin will compete in seven Olympic events, earning praise from other renowned swimmers. Even Michael Phelps called her a stud. Franklin calls herself "the happiest girl alive."

Jordyn Wieber, Gymnastics
Jordyn Wieber, the reigning world all-around champion gymnast has a lot of pressure on her young shoulders in London.

Wieber has trained for just this moment—getting her start in gymnastics as a toddler. By age 8, she knew she wanted to go to the Olympics. Now at 17, Wieber leads a strong team of American gymnasts and is favored to win gold.

Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, Swimming
In Beijing, there was one man whose name became known around the world. Michael Phelps picked up eight gold medals in Beijing, but in London, he's got some competition.

Ryan Lochte won four medals in Beijing and he's spent the past four years wanting more. Lochte said while he and Phelps are friends, come race time, it's every man for himself.

Lochte will swim in four individual events and at least one relay at the Olympics. Phelps will compete in seven events. Phelps just needs three more medals to be the most decorated Olympian ever.