It's been an action-packed first few days at the 2012 London Olympics, but we haven't even reached the half-way point of this year's Games.
The Olympics don't wrap up until Sunday, August 12, so there is plenty of time for breakout stars to emerge. We've already witnessed a few Americans rise to national prominence (Missy Franklin, Matt Grevers, the U.S. women's gymnastics team), and with multiple high-profile events to come, we'll certainly see a few more Americans reach Wheaties-box status.
The following athletes are the most likely candidates.
Jordan Burroughs - Wrestling (74 Kg)
A 24-year-old New Jersey native, Jordan Burroughs is equal parts swagger and substance, making him the perfect candidate to become an international superstar.
His Twitter handle (@alliseeisgold) reeks of arrogance. His resume shows that he's earned it.
Burroughs has won every tournament he's entered since 2009. He's won 34 consecutive freestyle matches, dating back to spring 2011. He was an NCAA national champion in 2009, and after recovering from a knee injury, he was named the top collegiate wrestler in the country in 2011.
He also won the 2011 World Wrestling Championships in Istanbul, defeating two-time world champion Denis Tsargush of Russia in the process.
Burroughs is a heavy favorite to take home the gold in London. If he does, get used to seeing his face whenever you turn on the TV or pick up a magazine.
Carmelita Jeter - Track & Field
Right now, most Americans have no idea who Carmelita Jeter is. The first guess would probably be Derek's wife. The second might be his sister.
By 4:55 p.m. ET on August 4, though, Carmelita will (briefly) become the most famous Jeter in America. That's because she's expected to win gold in the 100-meter dash and possibly become the fastest woman in history.
Jeter has already posted the second-fastest time ever by a woman, running a 10.64 in 2009. She has since followed that up with a world championship in 2011, and after winning the 100 in the U.S. Olympic Trials, she looks to be in top form.
Jeter boosted her fame by posing for ESPN the Magazine's Body Issue in July. If she can win gold and break the female 100-meter record of 10.49 seconds, she will reach full-blown celebrity status.
Alex Morgan - Soccer
The new golden girl of U.S. Soccer, expect Alex Morgan to become one of the two or three most famous female athletes in our country by the end of the Olympics.
She has everything that a legitimate superstar needs: a charismatic personality, a beautiful smile, and of course, a ridiculous amount of talent.
The 23-year-old Morgan has scored 29 goals in just 43 appearances for the national team, including two thus far in the Olympics. She has helped lead Team USA to the quarterfinals, and as the heavy favorites to win it all, Morgan and her teammates will likely take home the gold.
If they can do that, and if Morgan scores a few more goals along the way, she will emerge as one of the brightest stars from London.
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