The London Summer Olympics 2012 will be here before we know it. They're by far one of my favorite sporting events to watch. From track & field to gymnastics to swimming, every four years we get to tune in and witness the best athletes in the world compete against each other.

A lot of athletes are coming in as heavy favorites ... or are simply making the headlines for a bunch of other reasons (like, er, being a virgin?). So we've put together a quick, six-athlete list of the Olympians to look out for in the 2012 games. They've either made the news or are going to be the most exciting to watch -- or both!

From go-tos like Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt to up-and-comers like cutie Gabrielle Douglas, this is going to be an Olympics to remember. Of course we neglected to mention a bunch of other amazing athletes who will make an appearance -- from Oscar Pistorius, the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics, to Serena Williams, who just won Wimbledon, to Kerry Walsh-Jennings and Misty May-Treanor, who are just badass -- but this list will hopefully get you pumped up enough for the events to come!

Which event is your favorite to watch during the Olympics?

Image via Eric Draper/Wikimedia