What to watch for - Day 2

Three words to describe what to look for today: Phelps vs. Lochte.

This very well may be what you should be looking forward to for the next week. Today is the first race that features arguably the best two swimmers in the world. Lochte has come on really strong since Beijing, while Phelps took some time off. Lochte beat Phelps at the World Championships last year and proved that there is finally someone to challenge one of the best swimmers ever. Today is the 400-meter individual medley - a race that Lochte won at the U.S. trials. The question isn’t whether or not the two will medal, but who will take home gold and silver.

The women’s 400m IM final is also tonight. American Elizabeth Beisel is the best chance for the red, white and blue in the race and is the reigning world champion. Australia’s Stephanie Rice is the defending Olympic champion and is in London to defend her title.

Missy Franklin will make her Olympic debut today in the 4x100m-relay. The 17-year-old has the chance to win seven medals, which is unprecedented. USA was second to the Dutch at the world championships last year. But some say that Franklin is a lot stronger than she was last year and that the Americans have a great chance to win gold.

Artistic gymnastics also begins today with the men’s qualifying round. The United States men have not won gold since 1984 and the 2012 team has been labeled as the best American team since then. Team USA won a surprise bronze in Beijing and is expected to stand on the podium again. Japan is the favorite for the gold, followed by China, but USA could challenge for that top spot than some expect. While Jonathan Horton is the only veteran on the team, expect Danell Leyva and John Orozco to post the best scores for the American squad.

NBC will also show early-round beach volleyball coverage in prime time with a match featuring two-time gold medal winners Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings. While they are the defending Olympic champions, they are not the top ranked duo or the favorites. However, no one would be surprised if these ladies earn the three peat. This early in the competition the most impressive thing at beach volleyball might be the venue. The sport is being played at the Horse Guards Parade, which is right down the street from Buckingham Palace. It’s one of the venues incorporating a more modern sport with classic London.

USA women’s soccer will also hit the pitch again today in search of their third straight gold medal. They defeated France by a final of 4-2 on Wednesday and take on Colombia at noon (eastern time).

While my goal is to send this out every day, I’m not going to make that promise. I may just get to caught up in watching every second rather than writing about it.

Until tomorrow!