Olympics, 2012 Olympics | featured news

She wanted an individual world record and an individual gold medal. Dana Vollmer didn’t even need 56 seconds to accomplish both feats. The former University of California swimmer and reigning world champion had the Aquatics Centre buzzing when she became the first woman to break the 56-second barrier, winning gold in the 100-meter butterfly in 55.98 seconds, a world record.

Lizzie Armitstead wins Britain's first medal of the 2012 Olympics as Netherlands' Marianne Vos claims cycling gold.

Here's what to watch for at the London Olympics on Sunday... SWIMMING: The United States, Australia and France go for gold in the final of the 4 x100m freestyle relay, a day after Michael Phelps was stunningly defeated by teammate Ryan Lochte... BASKETBALL: The U.S. men's team plays France (and NBA star Tony Parker).

Preliminary estimates show that Saturday night's NBC telecast scored the highest ratings for the first evening of an Olympics competition outside of the United States. The Nielsen company said Sunday that its measurement of the nation's largest cities showed ratings for the Olympics telecast were up 8 percent over opening night in Beijing four years ago. A fuller measurement of viewership is expected later on Sunday.

The Twitter hashtag #NBCfail – about the American network’s Olympic shortfalls — is covering a lot of ground. But a key early frustration was the online viewing experience.

Kim Rhode hit 99 of 100 targets to win a medal in her fifth consecutive Olympics. Rhode, 33, became the first American athlete to win five medals in an individual event in five consecutive Olympic Games. She earned a gold medal in women’s skeet Sunday, setting an Olympic record and tying the world record by hitting 99 out of 100 targets. She also became the first woman to win three gold medals in Olympic shooting.

American Jordyn Wieber, the reigning world and national gymnastics all-around champion, did not advance to the all-around finals in today’s qualifying. Aly Raisman shocked everyone by taking the top spot overall. Gabby Douglas was second, Wieber third. Only two gymnasts from one country can advance.

The hiccups outnumbered the highlights, and for a while the U.S. racked up fouls faster than points. The opener wasn't artistic. However, it was enough - easily enough. Kevin Durant scored 22 points in his Olympic debut, Kevin Love added 14 and LeBron James had eight assists as the American men's basketball team overcame some sloppy moments with a 98-71 win Sunday over France.

Even their falls came at the right time. The U.S. men's gymnastics team was in first place overall in team qualifying after the two of the three subdivisions contested Saturday, ahead of the favorites from Japan, the defending gold medalists from China and the hometown squad from Britain.

The defending champion in the 400-meter freestyle, Tae-hwan Park of South Korea, advanced in his event only after his disqualification was overturned.