Ryan Lochte

By most accounts, Lochte is now neck-and-neck with Michael Phelps as the world's greatest swimmer. The two have created quite a rivalry that will be among the most intriguing storylines in London. Lochte will face Phelps in the 200 and 400 individual medleys at the Aquatics Centre, one month after beating him in the 400 and losing to him in the 200 at the U.S. trials. In addition, Lochte will compete in the 200 backstroke, 200 freestyle and 800 free relay, and could also be in another relay. He will be looking to add to the six medals he's brought home from the last two Summer Games. He won gold in the 200 back and 800 free relay in 2008, also taking bronze in the 200 IM and 400 IM. Lochte claimed his first gold in 2004 as part of the record-breaking 800 free relay team that upset the Australians, and also earned a silver medal in the 200 IM. Lochte has won 57 medals in major international competition and was the undisputed star at the 2011 world championships, where he won five golds and beat Phelps in two head-to-head races. That performance helped him win World Swimmer of the Year and American Swimmer of the Year honors from Swimming World Magazine, defending his titles from the previous year. In 2010, Lochte became the first swimmer to win seven medals at the short-course worlds and the first individual to set a world record since body-length swimsuits were banned. Earlier that year at nationals, Lochte won the 200 IM for his first victory over Phelps in a major national or international meet. At the University of Florida, Lochte was a seven-time NCAA champion, seven-time SEC champ and 24-time All-American.