Heavy favorites don't always bring home the hardware at the Olympic Games. For every Simone Biles, there's always a juggernaut who fails to turn high expectations into Olympic glory.
The 2016 Summer Olympic Games have not been spared this trend. The first week of competition has already added a few names to the list of biggest Summer Olympics upsets. Check out the latest additions and where they rank among the biggest letdowns since 2000.
Here they are, in reverse chronological order:
U.S. Women's Soccer Team, 2016
The U.S. was the three-time defending Olympic champion but bowed out in the quarterfinals Friday to Sweden on penalty kicks. Sweden has had some success as runner-up in the 2003 World Cup and a fourth-place finish at the 2004 Olympics, but it is hardly a powerhouse, particularly in recent years. The U.S. won the World Cup last summer and was a heavy favorite in Rio.
Missy Franklin, 2016
In London, Franklin won four gold medals in London with the 100 and 200 backstrokes and two relays. In Rio, Franklin didn't even make the final in her two individual events. This is a bigger deal than a favorite having to settle for a lesser medal. Franklin did get a gold in the 4x200 freestyle relay -- but only for her participation in the preliminary heat.
Williams Sisters, 2016
Serena and Venus Williams had won three Olympic gold medals in doubles, posting a 15-0 record. In Rio, they lost in the opening round to Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic. Strycova wasn't even originally set to be at the Olympics but was added as a late replacement.
Michael Phelps, 2012
Yep, this is one of those occasions where Phelps had to settle for silver. The 200-meter butterfly is one of his specialities, but Chad le Clos beat him in London -- by 0.05 seconds. This isn't really a case of Phelps blowing it as le Clos had a great race. But the expectation with Phelps is always gold, and he won this event again in Rio.
McKayla Maroney, 2012
Known for her high-flying ability, Maroney was considered the best vaulter among the Olympic gymnasts in London. But she wasn't able to nail the landing and settled for silver. Maybe not the most momental upset, but the result led to her famous "not impressed" face, which is reason enough to include this.
U.S. Softball Team, 2008
The last time softball appeared at the Olympic Games, the results were stunning. Going into the 2008 Olympics, the United States had never lost the gold medal in softball. But all that changed in the final match against Japan. Team USA had already beaten Japan on two separate occasions in that Olympic Games, but Japanese pitcher Yukiko Ueno threw a commanding game, quieting American bats and helping Japan to a 3-1 win.
That was the last medal awarded to softball -- the IOC voted to remove softball, starting with the 2012 Games.
U.S. Men's 4x100 Track Relay, 2004
The Americans traditionally dominated this race, and Britain hadn't won it since 1912 in Stockholm. But the U.S. botched one of the baton passes, and despite a terrific anchor leg from Maurice Greene, the Brits prevailed by 0.01 seconds.
U.S. Men's Basketball, 2004
Everyone will remember the U.S. losing in the semifinals to eventual champ Argentina. Definitely an upset, but Argentina was an experienced team with some NBA players such as Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni and Fabricio Oberto. The bigger shock came during pool play when the U.S., which had Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, Stephon Marbury and a bunch of young guys (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony had just finished their rookie season in the NBA), lost to Puerto Rico 92-73.
Susie O'Neill, 2000
The 200-meter butterfly was O'Neill's race -- the Australian had gone undefeated for more than three years leading into the 2000 Olympic Games. Competing in front of her home crowd, O'Neill was stunned by Misty Hyman, who was so stunned by her victory that she checked the scoreboard three separate times. It was the end of an era for O'Neill. Meanwhile, that gold was the only Olympic medal Hyman ever won.
Alexander Karelin, 2000
No one could beat Alexander Karelin. The Russian Greco-Roman wrestler had won three straight Olympic gold medals, and seven straight world championships. In 15 years of international competition, Karelin had never lost.
Then he met Rulon Gardner, an American who had never even won a college championship. In a tense, stunning match, Gardner managed a single point and held on to win the match, 1-0. As for Karelin, he finished his wrestling career with an 887-2 record.
Karelin's loss to Gardner been widely recognized as one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history.
More Olympics:
-- 5 Weirdest Jobs At This Year's Olympics
-- We Never Understood How Great Ryan Lochte Was
-- How Simone Biles Got Started In Gymnastics -- It Was By Accident
