Athletics. There are 47 events, which would mean 141 medals are up for grabs. Russia, a powerhouse in the track, won't be sending a contingent to Rio de Janeiro. Long jumper Darya Klishina, who has been training in the US for the last three years, might be the only one to carry the Russian flag. (And she's not one of the favorites in the event.) The United States, which won 28 medals at the 2012 Summer Games, would likely benefit from their absence. The gold medal total for the US had been in single digit during the last four Olympiad, its last double-digit happened in Atlanta. Great Britain could be their toughest competitor, with a handful of athletes from African nations not far behind.
Swimming. There are 34 events, which would mean 102 medals are at stake. The US, which won 16 gold medals at London four years ago, would be assured of nine at Rio. (No other female swimmer could stop Katie Ledecky, while Michael Phelps will likely increase his haul of gold medals to 14. It will be another all-time record, and it might take decades before another swimmer surpasses it.) Australia, which was shut out in the individual events at the Aquatics Centre, can end up a close second behind the US. The latest Aussie squad include several gold medal contenders including the Campbell sisters. Fans might witness Australian sprinters ruling the blue-ribbon events. They shouldn't discount the hometown bets, though.
Wrestling. There are 18 events, which would mean 72 medals are there for the taking. Russia, a traditional powerhouse in the sport for decades, will likely continue its dominance in Rio. The Russian wrestlers won 11 medals, including 4 golds, in London. It was good enough to finish on top of the medal table, but Japan also won four gold medals. If last year's world championships would be any indication, the Americans will be the toughest foes of the Russians. But don't expect an upset.
Gymnastics. There are 18 events, which would mean a total of 54 medals. At the North Greenwich Arena, the Chinese gymnasts won more gold medals than the Russians and Americans. Russia had the highest total number of medals. Expect the US to excel at Arena OlÃmpica do Rio, as USA Gymnastics will send its strongest squad ever. Many are expecting Simona Biles to nab the lion's share of the gold medals in women's gymnastics. This will be good enough to put the US on the top of the medal table.
Cycling. There are 18 events, with would mean cyclists will contest the 55 medals at stake. Great Britain won almost half of the gold medals (at stake) at London four years ago, and the current members of the Olympic team are likely to do a repeat. Chris Froome, who is currently wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, will compete in the road race and team trial events in Rio. No one has won the prestigious cycling race and the Olympic double in the same year. Froome, who is racing for Team Sky, is aiming for immortality.
