Sam Mikulak

Sport: Gymnastics

Nation: United States of America

DOB: October 13, 1992

Hometown: Newport Coast, CA

Career Highlights: The first male gymnast from the University of Michigan to make the Olympic team, Mikulak took a calculated risk in choosing not to compete on the final day of the U.S. trials to rest his sprained left ankle. With the gamble having paid off with his selection to the squad, he underwent intense rehab and avoided full routines on floor or vault for two weeks in order to be 100 percent for the Games. Mikulak epitomizes a highly talented but young U.S. team - only one of the five members is older than 20 - that is expected to challenge China and Japan for all-around gold in London. "This is such a deep team and everybody is so good," Mikulak said at the trials. He has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments despite his young age, having won the all-around NCAA title as a freshman and earning the silver medal in parallel bars and bronze in all-around at this year's U.S. championships. Boasting routines filled with difficult skills and combinations - particularly on parallel bars, perhaps his best event - that are coupled with exceptional precision, the only thing that might keep Mikulak from the top of the podium in London is a lack of experience. However, his determination and ability to overcome adversity is hardly in question, as he's come back from breaking both ankles at a meet last year and is known among his teammates as a competitor who always maintains his cool. Both of Mikulak's parents also competed in gymnastics at the University of California, and introduced Sam to the sport at age 2.

Olympic History: None