The U.S. Olympic swimming team continued their strong performances at the 2012 London Olympics on August 1. The U.S. women's swimming team has had several great performances so far in London and still has many more ahead of them. Amongst the great individual performances, American Rebecca Soni became the second American swimmer to break a world record at the 2012 Olympic Games. Most surprisingly, Soni accomplished the feat in a semifinal race.
The world record of two minutes, 20.00 seconds sets the bar for Soni in the finals of the 200 meter breaststroke on Thursday August 2. Soni took a silver medal already in London in the 100 meter distance. She will enter the finals favored in the 200, which is her better event. After setting a world record already, all eyes will be on Soni in the final to see if she's able to lower her new record time. Rebecca is the fastest qualifier by over two seconds in the race. While a gold medal appears likely, those can never be taken for granted. Rebecca will look to match her performance in the 200 breaststroke at Beijing where she also won a gold medal and broke a world record.
Soni's first advertisement with her sponsor, Team Kellogg's was recently released in anticipation of the upcoming Olympic Games. Kellogg's details Soni's trek to London and her history coming up as a swimmer. Soni's story is similar to other Olympic athletes and is one that many young swimmers throughout the country can look up to as they see Rebecca swim her way to success in London.
Soni's 200 meter final will take place live at 2:40pm eastern time on Thursday August 2. The final will then air again in primetime on NBC. All eyes will be on Soni to see if she can come through with a memorable performance in her marquee event. Following the 200 meter breaststroke, Soni will also compete in the breaststroke leg of the women's 400 meter medley relay at the conclusion of the swimming competition. The U.S. will be heavily favored to win gold in the relay as well. These two races could set Rebecca Soni up for a very successful showing in London.
Kyle Rapoza is a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and grew up both competing and coaching in the sport of swimming.
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