Olympic comeback kids

Earlier this year Justin Gatlin -- the 100 meter winner at the 2004 Olympics who missed the 2008 Games due to a four-year drug suspension -- said it was time for someone else to take the spotlight from "the Bolt show." Usain Bolt responded: "Gatlin's had his chance." But perhaps Bolt shouldn't be so dismissive -- Gatlin won the event at U.S. trials in 9.80 seconds, showing he's still a force to be reckoned with. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Despite being beset by injuries recently, Tyson Gay took second in the 100 meters at U.S. trials to secure a spot for London. He's had two surgeries and went 12 months without a competitive race; Gay said he wasn't even able to jog until March. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

After Jessica Hardy qualified for the 2008 Olympics, she learned she shocking news that she tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol, which she had unknowingly ingested in a nutritional supplement. Hardy was forced to drop off the team and endure a 12-month suspension. Early in this year's trials she seemed destined for more heartbreak when she lost in her best event, the 100 meter breaststroke, but Hardy rebounded and qualified for London by winning the 100 and 50 freestyle races. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Lolo Jones has made plenty of headlines with the announcement that she's a virgin -- overshadowing the fact that she was by no means a shoo-in for London. Jones had to deal with a pair of hamstring injuries and surgery last August, and she was overjoyed when she took third place in the 110 meter hurdles at trials, earning the final U.S. spot in the event. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

After winning a gold medal in the 50 freestyle at the 2000 Olympics, Anthony Ervin retired in 2003 at the age of 22. In the interim he taught swimming to kids and played in a rock band. Last year Ervin began training again, and qualified for London by finishing second in the 50 free. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Two weeks before U.S. trials, at national championships, McKayla Maroney suffered a fall that left her with a concussion and broken nose. She went to the hospital, missed the end of the competition, and had to petition for a spot on the national team to be allowed to compete at trials. There, Maroney got the top score on the vault and had a strong performance on floor exercise, earning her a spot on the team. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Four years ago, Dana Vollmer left U.S. trials without qualifying for the team in any of the four events she competed in. But she exorcised old demons with a strong victory in the 100 fly, earning her her spot to the 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Sam Mikulak broke both ankles at a competition in Puerto Rico last year, which set his training back several months. On the first day of U.S. trials he put forth an amazing performance, but sprained his ankle on the vault, meaning he could only perform on one apparatus on day two. Nonetheless, his solid performance before that got him named to the team. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

LaShawn Merritt had a 21-month suspension for "accidental doping" -- the banned substances DHEA and pregnenolone were found in his system due to his use of a male-enhancement product. But Merritt rebounded from that suspension with a victory in the 400 meters at trials, giving him a chance to defend the gold he won in Beijing. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

In 2004, Brendan Hansen failed to get the gold in either of his individual events, the 100 and 200 meter breaststroke. His performance in Beijing was even worse -- he finished fourth in the 100m breast, his only individual event. Soon after he retired, but in January 2011, Hansen decided to mount a comeback, culminating in his first-place finish in the 100m breast at trials. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Shortly before Eric Shanteau (right) competed in the 2008 Olympics, he learned he had testicular cancer. He put off treatment to compete, and afterward had surgery. Here, Shanteau celebrates with Brendan Hansen after they nabbed the top two sports in the 100 meter breaststroke to qualify for London. (Al Bello/Getty Images)