10 Events the U.S. Is (Pretty Much) Guaranteed to Win Gold

Much of the talk of the 2016 Rio Olympics has not surrounded the events themselves, but rather a series of headlines casting serious doubt on the city’s ability to competently host the games. Zika virus, polluted water, athlete kidnappings, unfurnished apartments, and the like have dominated coverage of the Summer Olympics, and even scared several star athletes out of competing in the games altogether.

All of this talk hopefully will subside now that the games have begun and the United States—as is typically the case—is poised to be one of the dominant countries this year. Chances are you probably don’t follow most Olympic sports as closely as you do the NBA or NFL, but America is poised to capture gold in multiple events, including a number of marquee sports, giving you ample reason to chant “USA” over the next couple weeks and rock the red, white, and blue with authority. Here are 10 Events the U.S. is (Pretty Much) Guaranteed to Win Gold.

America will be without reigning NBA Finals MVP, LeBron James, reigning unanimous MVP, Stephen Curry, and other stars like Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis. Even minus those guys, they still have the most star-studded roster with Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and Klay Thompson among the headliners.

There have only been three instances where the U.S. hasn’t won gold since 1936, so history is obviously on Team USA's side. Vegas has installed Carmelo and company as such overwhelming favorites that you'd have to lay $2,000 in order to win $100 at the sportsbook. If they don’t take home gold, the squad should be forced to listen to their rendition of “A Thousand Miles” on repeat for the duration of their flight home. Because that will be the greatest disappointment of the Olympics—and maybe of U.S.A. Basketball history (short of 2004). 

The men’s team will get more attention due to its roster, but the women are equally as dominant—and will have equally-high expectations. The women’s team has won gold in seven of the last eight Olympics dating back to 1984, so they will be in championship-or-bust mode as well. FYI, you should always be in championship-or-bust mode when your country invented the game you’re competing in.

Remember that scene of “The Avengers” when Loki tells Iron Man “I have an army,” and then Iron Man totally stuck it to him by saying “We have a Hulk”? That’s pretty much the USA in women’s tennis, except instead of the Incredible Hulk, we boast the incredible 22-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams. She’s won gold in all three of the Olympics she has participated in, and is looking to make it four this year.

Basically the same thing applies from women’s singles, except throw Venus Williams into the mix. They’ve taken home the gold all three times they’ve competed in this category.

This is another sport Americans fall in love with for two days, only to forget about it for the next four years. The United States will be going for its fourth consecutive gold medal in the Individual All-Around; they’ve taken home gold every year since 2012 and have won both gold and silver in each of the last two games.

This year’s team will feature gold medal favorite Simone Biles who at 19 years old will be making her first Olympics appearance. As long as China’s gymnasts are all over the age of nine, America hopes to do well in this category.

On the women’s side, it appears as though there could finally be a female answer to Phelps in Katie Ledecky. The 19-year-old phenom has already set 11 world records, and is on track to become one of Rio’s breakout stars. She will be swimming in the 200, 400, and 800 meter freestyles, and considering she already holds world records in the 400 and 800, it’s looking like she’s be bringing home the gold. Not bad for a teenager.

To learn more about other Olympic hopefuls, visit teamusa.org. The Olympics can be seen on NBC.