2012 London Olympics Preview: Ohio Well Represented Among Team USA Athletes

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 4: Holley Mangold successfully completes a 145 kilogram clean and jerk on her first attempt during the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women's Weightlifting on March 4, 2012 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Ohio is well represented on Team USA, contributing athletes to a number of different events. Among them is Holley Mangold, a young woman with a good chance at weightlifting gold.

Athletes from around the country are headed to London to represent America in the 2012 Olympics, facing off with other nations as part of a team or as individuals in a wide variety of sports. The the Opening Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, July 27 and the Games continue through Aug. 12.

There are a number of Ohio natives headed to London as part of Team USA, including Holley Mangold. The young woman from Dayton has already seen a considerable amount of press coverage in her quest for weightlifting gold. Cincinnati's Heather Mitts plays defense on the US Women's soccer team that took second at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, and female Judoka Kayla Harrison has special motivation stemming from her years in as a judo practitioner.

The 2012 London Games also feature the return of some of the biggest athletes from the 2008 Beijing Games, including Michael Phelps. The all-star roster of NBA players going for Olympic gold includes some veterans from 2008 and some new faces, including No. 1 draft pick Anthony Davis.

A complete list of Ohio athletes representing the United States in London:

Athlete - Hometown - Event
Nick Thoman - Cincinnati - Swimming (100m backstroke)
Abby Johnston - Columbus - Diving (3m synchronized)
Heather Mitts - Cincinnati - Soccer
Jacob Wukie - Oak Harbor - Archery
Terrell Gausha - Cleveland - Boxing (Middleweight)
Rau'Shee Warren - Cincinnati - Boxing (Flyweight)
Lee Kiefer - Cleveland - Fencing (Foil)
Kayla Harrison - Middletown - Judo
Peter Graves - Cincinnati - Rowing
Holley Mangold - Dayton - Weightlifting
Scott Parsons - Toledo - Canoeing (K-1 Slalom)
Justin Lester - Akron - Wrestling
Katie Bell - Columbus - Diving
Margot Shumway - Cincinnati - Rowing
Bridget Franek - Mantua - Track & Field (3000m Steeplechase)
Tianna Madison - Elyria - Track & Field (100m)

With 302 medal events over 32 sports, the 2012 London Olympics are likely to have something to offer any and every sports fan. No matter what your interest is, SB Nation has you covered for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Stick with SB Nation Cleveland for coverage of local athletes going for gold in the 2012 London Olympics. For coverage on all aspects of the game, don't miss SB Nation's Olympics hub.